The loss of family members in the tragic Air India crash continues to haunt the Greenlaw family, compounded by the shocking revelation that they received the wrong remains of Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, who perished alongside his husband Jamie, 45. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Fiongal’s sister Arwen expressed the emotional turmoil their family is facing, stating, "Somebody mislabelled remains - that has added trauma."
The crash occurred on June 12, shortly after takeoff for London from Ahmedabad, with 242 passengers on board. Since then, families have been seeking clarity and justice regarding the identification of their loved ones. The Foreign Office has promised to assist the families in this process, while emphasizing that the formal identification is managed by Indian authorities.
Arwen highlighted the need for humanity and dignity in the identification process, revealing the chaos surrounding the situation. Her mother, who traveled to India for identification, returned with what was thought to be Fiongal's remains, but further testing revealed a mix-up. "It's like losing him twice," Arwen lamented. Investigators are still trying to ascertain what caused the accident, with preliminary findings indicating a fuel cut-off shortly after take-off. A final report is expected in a year.
Meanwhile, tributes are being made for those lost, including a memorial service for other victims, Ashok and Shobhana Patel. Their son Miten also encountered difficulties with the identification process. The Indian foreign ministry claims they handled the identification professionally, but families are desperate for accountability in the error. As they navigate this painful journey, the Greenlaw family continues to hope for closure and answers regarding their beloved Fiongal.
