Grieving relatives of victims from the Air India crash are receiving incorrect remains, with some bodies misidentified before repatriation to the UK. The disaster on June 12 killed all 261 people on board, including 52 British nationals, when flight 171 lost power en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
In one case, a family was forced to cancel funeral plans after discovering the coffin contained the body of an unknown passenger. Another casket held the commingled remains of two victims. So far, two cases of mistaken identity have been confirmed, prompting an inquiry between British and Indian authorities.
Inner West London coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox has ordered all repatriated bodies to be matched with DNA samples provided by families. Aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt, representing many families, said 12 British bodies have been returned, but some are wrong. 'These families deserve an explanation,' he told The Mail.
Altaf Taju, from Blackburn, lost his parents Adam, 72, and Hasina, 70, and brother-in-law Altafhusen Patel, 51. He said authorities simply handed over coffins with ID labels, leaving families to trust the identification. 'It's horrific that this could have happened,' he said.
Recovery teams used sniffer dogs and local volunteers to sift through smouldering wreckage, finding all victims within three days, though most bodies were burnt beyond recognition. A government spokesperson said formal identification is a matter for Indian authorities, adding: 'Our thoughts remain with the families.'
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to raise the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to Britain this week.
