UK families of Air India crash victims allege receiving wrong bodies

In a distressing development following the fatal Air India flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, families of two victims in the United Kingdom have alleged they received misidentified bodies. According to James Healy, a lawyer representing the British families, DNA testing conducted on the repatriated remains has revealed significant discrepancies, with the DNA in at least two caskets failing to match that of the intended victims' relatives. This shocking claim adds another layer of anguish for the bereaved families.

Approximately 12 to 13 sets of human remains were repatriated to the UK after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating the London-bound flight, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. Sources indicate that the initial DNA sampling and identification were conducted by the government civil hospital in Ahmedabad, with Air India itself not involved in the direct identification or handover process. However, the airline, owned by the Tata Group, has acknowledged the matter and stated it is investigating the claims, though no official confirmation of the body mix-up has been issued.

The alleged misidentification came to light when coroners in London began their own verification process, cross-referencing repatriated remains with family DNA samples. One family was reportedly forced to abandon funeral plans upon discovering a stranger's body in their casket, while another found the remains of multiple victims commingled in a single coffin. This latest controversy follows earlier accusations by families against Air India for alleged "coercive tactics" in handling compensation claims, which the airline has categorically denied, maintaining its efforts to process payments swiftly.