The son of Shobhana Patel, a victim of the fatal Air India crash, revealed that his mother's casket contained incorrect remains, raising concerns about the handling of victims' bodies. The incident has prompted criticism of the identification processes employed following the tragedy.
Mix-Up of Remains Haunts Family of Air India Crash Victim
Mix-Up of Remains Haunts Family of Air India Crash Victim
A grieving son questions the integrity of the identification process as mixed remains were found in his mother's casket.
The son of a woman who perished in the tragic Air India plane crash has raised alarm after discovering that "other remains" were found inside his mother's casket when her body was repatriated to the UK. Miten Patel, whose father also lost his life in the June crash, expressed his distress over the identification mix-up. He voiced concerns about the potential for further errors, asking, "How many others are in there?"
Reports indicate several families have received wrong remains after the incident, which claimed 260 lives shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad in western India. Miten's parents, Ashok and Shobhana Patel, were en route to visit their children when the disaster struck on June 12.
While acknowledging the high-pressure circumstances surrounding the tragedy, Miten emphasized the need for accountability in ensuring that the correct bodies are returned to their families. "People were tired and there was a lot of pressure. But there has to be a level of responsibility that you're sending the right bodies to the UK," he urged.
The Daily Mail highlighted instances of incorrect remains being sent back to grieving families, notably one case where a family reportedly received an entire wrong body and another where remains of multiple individuals were found together in the same casket.
In light of these distressing revelations, India's foreign ministry noted that they were aware of the reports and have been collaborating closely with UK authorities since these issues first came to light. They assured the public that proper identification protocols had been implemented during the repatriation of remains and that “all mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and dignity.”
The painful aftermath of the Air India crash continues to evoke questions about the handling and identification of the victims as families seek closure amidst their grief.
