India refutes UK news report claiming wrong bodies returned after Air India crash

New Delhi: India has firmly refuted allegations made in a British media report suggesting that the remains of Air India crash victims were mistakenly handed over to incorrect families in the UK.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasised that the repatriation process was conducted with full adherence to established procedures and with deep respect for the deceased.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Indian officials acted with complete professionalism throughout the process and maintained constant communication with their UK counterparts once concerns were flagged. He reiterated that every step was taken to ensure the proper identification and dignified handling of all mortal remains, TNIE reported.

The Daily Mail had reported claims from unnamed individuals in two UK families, who alleged that they were given the wrong bodies, causing significant emotional trauma and complications in their funeral arrangements.

The British media report alleged that one grieving family was forced to cancel funeral arrangements upon realising that the remains inside the coffin did not belong to their relative. It also suggested that at least two such cases of mistaken identity had emerged, raising fears that similar errors might have occurred in other instances as well.

In response, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that India remains fully committed to working with British authorities to resolve any outstanding concerns. He stressed that India is continuing its cooperation with the UK to ensure any issues related to the handling of the victims' remains are addressed appropriately.

The devastating accident took place when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed soon after taking off from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of all 241 passengers and crew, including 52 British nationals.

Additionally, 19 people on the ground were killed, and 67 others suffered serious injuries due to the crash.

According to a preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 10, investigators found that both fuel control switches on the aircraft had been set to the cut-off position shortly after takeoff. This caused a loss of engine power, which ultimately led to the fatal crash.