Following the Air India Flight 171 tragedy, families in the UK are alleging significant errors in the handling of the deceased, with incorrect mortal remains being sent to them. According to reports, at least two families received remains that did not belong to their identified loved ones, creating deep emotional distress.
A British family was forced to halt funeral plans after discovering the body in the coffin was not their deceased relative. In another instance, the remains of another person were reportedly found co-mingled with the victim’s remains, requiring forensic separation before the final rites. The discovery of the errors came to light through DNA testing used to match the remains with the families. Dr. Fiona Wilcox, a West London Coroner, reportedly played a key role in identifying the problem and alerting the appropriate authorities. Reports suggest that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is likely to discuss the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his forthcoming visit to the UK, which could escalate into a delicate diplomatic matter if more cases of misidentification are confirmed.