The son of Shobhana Patel, a victim of the recent Air India plane disaster, has reported a troubling discovery upon receiving his mother’s body back in the UK—“other remains” were found mixed in her casket. Miten Patel disclosed that the coroner informed him of this alarming situation, prompting fears: “How many others are in there?”
This incident follows reports from the Daily Mail, which stated that several families had received incorrect bodies after the crash that tragically took the lives of 260 people shortly after take-off in June. Miten, who also lost his father, Ashok Patel, in the crash, expressed his distress over the mix-up, acknowledging that while errors can occur, there must be accountability in ensuring that the correct bodies are delivered. “People were tired and there was a lot of pressure. But there has to be a level of responsibility,” he urged.
The Indian foreign ministry responded to these claims, asserting that all remains were treated with dignity and professionalism, while committing to address the issues raised in collaboration with UK officials. A UK government spokesperson reiterated that the formal identification of the deceased lies with Indian authorities and emphasized ongoing cooperation with Gujarat and the Indian government to aid the coronial process.
Ashok and Shobhana Patel were in transit to visit their family when their flight tragically crashed in Ahmedabad. The serious implications of body mix-ups are compounded by revelations that two separate families reportedly received the wrong remains; one allegedly received an entirely different body, while another received remains of multiple individuals placed together.
A lawyer advocating for the families voiced hope that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would address these “serious issues” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the latter's upcoming visit to the UK. Urging for immediate answers, the lawyer emphasized the need for clarity regarding the whereabouts of the victims' remains.
The UK's Foreign Office has assured support for the affected families, providing dedicated caseworkers and Family Liaison Officers to assist those in need. The ongoing investigations into the Air India crash have heightened scrutiny and calls for accountability as more unsettling details continue to emerge.
