The son of a woman who perished in the Air India tragedy has shared alarming news with the BBC regarding the handling of remains. Miten Patel, who also lost his father in the crash, reported that "other remains" were found in the casket of his mother, Shobhana Patel, after being repatriated to the UK. This mix-up, identified by the coroner, has left him deeply troubled. He questioned the integrity of the process, voicing concerns like, "How many others are in there?"
Media reports surfaced earlier highlighting instances where families reportedly received the wrong bodies following the crash that claimed 260 lives shortly after take-off in June. The foreign ministry of India emphasized that all remains were treated with "utmost professionalism" and dignity while confirming ongoing cooperation with UK officials to resolve the distressing situation.
Shobhana and Ashok Patel were en route home for a family visit after the catastrophic incident. Miten described the situation as "obviously very upsetting," yet acknowledged that errors can occur under pressure. However, he insisted on a certain level of accountability in ensuring that remains are accurately identified before being dispatched.
Reporters cited multiple cases regarding incorrect remains being delivered to relatives in the UK, with claims of a complete body mix-up in one instance and remains of multiple individuals being placed together in another casket. India's foreign ministry has issued a statement recognizing these reports and affirmed that they had begun to collaborate closely with UK authorities to examine the issues at hand.
They reiterated their commitment to ensuring that all processes adhered to established protocols and respect for the deceased. As investigations into the Air India crash continue, so too does the scrutiny surrounding the handling of victim identification and remains.
