The Air India AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, has left many families in deep grief and now, some are facing another heartbreaking shock. Families of crash victims in the UK have claimed that the bodies they received were not of their loved ones. After DNA tests were done in London, a mismatch was found in at least two cases. The mistake has now raised serious questions about how the aftermath of the crash is being handled.
What Happened In The AI171 Plane Crash?
Air India’s flight AI171, a Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, was flying from Ahmedabad to London. The flight took off at 1:30 PM but within minutes, it crashed near BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. Out of 242 people on board, only one survived. The crash caused a massive fire and left most bodies burned beyond recognition.
Families in the UK Received Wrong Bodies
According to reports, the bodies of 12 deceased passengers were sent to the UK after DNA sampling was done at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. But two families later found out that the bodies in the coffins were not their relatives. A UK-based lawyer revealed that one family even had to cancel the funeral after being told by the coroner that the DNA didn’t match. Another family reportedly received remains of two different people and had to separate them before holding the funeral.
British Media Raises Concerns, Indian Government Responds
This serious mix-up has been reported by several British media outlets. It has sparked anger and confusion among the families. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India responded by saying that they followed all proper identification protocols before handing over the bodies. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Indian authorities worked with full dignity and professionalism and are now coordinating with UK officials to resolve the issue.
Why This Is A Serious Matter
For grieving families, receiving the correct remains of their loved ones is a basic right and part of the healing process. A mistake in identification not only causes more emotional pain but also delays religious and cultural rituals like funerals and cremations. Many families are already in trauma due to the crash and this new issue has made things worse.
Conclusion
The Air India crash was already a national tragedy, and now, these reports of body misidentification have added more sorrow for the families involved. While the Indian government has promised full cooperation with UK authorities, this incident shows how important it is to double-check and verify everything, especially in such sensitive matters. Ensuring that victims’ families receive the right remains is not just about process—it’s about respect and humanity.
FAQs
What is the Air India AI171 crash?
It was a tragic plane crash on June 12, 2025, when a flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, killing almost all 242 people onboard.
How did the wrong bodies reach the UK?
Due to severe burns, the bodies were hard to identify. DNA tests were done in Ahmedabad, but it seems there was a mistake in matching the remains before sending them to the UK.
How was the mistake found?
When UK officials did DNA verification, they found that the remains did not match with the expected identities, leading to the discovery of the mix-up.
What is the Indian government saying about it?
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that all protocols were followed and that the remains were handled with dignity. They are now working with UK authorities to address the concerns.
How many bodies were sent to the UK?
According to reports, 12 bodies were sent to the UK from India after the crash.