Miten Patel, son of Shobhana Patel, deceased in the deadly Air India plane crash, disclosed to the BBC that "other remains" were discovered in his mother’s casket upon her return to the UK. He raised concerns following the coroner’s identification of the mixed remains, questioning, "How many others are in there?"
Reports highlighted by the Daily Mail indicated that several families received incorrect remains post-crash, which resulted in the family being left in distress. The crash, that occurred shortly after take-off on June 12, resulted in the deaths of 260 individuals, including Miten's father, Ashok Patel, who were on their way back to visit relatives in the UK.
While Miten acknowledged the overwhelming circumstances, he emphasized the need for accountability in ensuring the identity of the returned remains: "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."
The Daily Mail reported two specific cases of wrongful remains, including one family receiving an entirely different body, and another where the remains of several individuals were found in a single casket.
India's foreign ministry responded, stating they are aware of the situation and have been cooperating with UK officials from the outset of these concerns. They asserted that all procedures for identification of victims adhered to established protocols and that remains were treated with dignity throughout the process.
As India's foreign ministry continues to address relatives' concerns, pressures mount for resolution and clarity surrounding the identification of victims involved in such a tragic event.
