The son of a woman who died in the Air India plane crash voiced his distress after discovering “other remains” were included in his mother, Shobhana Patel's casket upon her return to the UK. Miten Patel, who lost both his parents, expressed his worry about how many additional remains could be mixed in. Reports from the Daily Mail highlighted instances where bodies were mistakenly returned to families grieving the loss of their loved ones.
The Air India crash, which claimed 260 lives shortly after take-off in early June, has raised significant concerns about identification processes. The Indian foreign ministry maintained that all remains were treated with respect, emphasizing they were working with UK officials to resolve the situation.
Miten acknowledged the pressure faced by authorities during such a tragic event but insisted that accountability is necessary for proper identification of bodies. Reports point to two specific cases involving the wrong remains returned, including a mix of multiple people in one casket.
Lawyers representing bereaved families are advocating for urgent answers and expect UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to address these issues with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an upcoming visit. The UK’s Foreign Office confirmed they are providing dedicated support to affected families, highlighting the need for compassion during this difficult time.
