Mourning relatives of the Air India AI‑171 disaster have been dealt a devastating blow. News in the UK reveals that some received the incorrect corpses—others, commingled remains. Medicolegal tests at Inner West London’s coroner’s office, conducted by Dr Fiona Wilcox, identified the errors after families had donated DNA samples.
One family cancelled funeral arrangements when informed that the casket was not holding their deceased. Another was required to sort out several sets of remains that had already been put into the same coffin.
Controlled Chaos or Shocker Overlook?
Flight AI‑171 crashed on 12 June 2025 near Ahmedabad and killed 241 on board and 19 on the ground—260 lives lost. At least two cases of misidentified remains have come to light among the 52 British nationals who died.
Families have spoken of being shocked and horrified when bodies turned up in plastic bags or incorrectly labelled coffins. Aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt described encountering “distraught” relatives who require clear answers and responsibility.
DNA Tests Spot the Mistakes
The mistakes were exposed when coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox started DNA matching against family-submitted samples. She revealed that some remains were incorrectly labelled.
In one sad case, an incorrect body was delivered back; another consisted of remains from more than one victim kept together in the same casket. These discoveries have destroyed families’ trust and deepened their sorrow.
Government-Level Response
UK PM Keir Starmer will bring up the issue with PM Narendra Modi during his state visit. Inquiries are ongoing in both London and Delhi in the meantime.
The UK Foreign Office and MPs are assisting affected families. Officials demand openness and procedure reform in victim identification and repatriation.
System Under Scrutiny
The initial AAIB report on the crash, published on 8 July, blames a fuel cutoff resulting in engine failure for the accident. In the meantime, identification of victims was going on, with 260 bodies matched and delivered by 29 June.
But these fresh gaffes disclose failure of the chain of custody, particularly about charred and dismembered remains. Families who were subjected to mislabeling by authorities now want an explanation.
Calls for Reform and Justice
Healy‑Pratt is calling on Air India and its emergency services provider, Kenyon International, to explain procedures. Families demand assurance that such mistakes will never happen again. He is absolutely right: “These families deserve an explanation.” Clear protocols and global cooperation will be essential to rebuild trust.
This tragedy has already written a somber page in the history of civil aviation. Now, mishandling of human bodies is an added layer of tragedy. Not just did families lose their loved ones, but they also experienced emotional violations when they needed it the least. As DNA testing uncovers deeper issues, authorities have to respond with sensitivity as well as stringency.
