Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after departing Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025, killing 260 people on board and causing widespread shock across India and the UK. In the harrowing aftermath, families relied on DNA testing at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to identify victims whose bodies were badly damaged in the blaze.
Yet, in what has become a nightmare for bereaved relatives in Britain, at least two households discovered they were sent incorrect remains. One family halted funeral plans after DNA analysis showed the coffin contained the body of an unrelated individual, while another found commingled remains of multiple victims placed together in a single casket. These errors were uncovered when London coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox attempted to verify samples against those provided by grieving families.
Among those affected is Miten Patel, who lost both parents in the crash. When his mother’s body arrived in the UK, the coroner informed him that “other remains” were present in the sealed coffin. “How many others are in there?” he asked, speaking of the compounded distress felt by families still waiting for answers and funerals to proceed.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has stressed that established technical protocols were followed during the identification process and that all mortal remains were handled “with utmost professionalism and due regard for the dignity of the deceased.” A spokesperson added that Indian authorities are working closely with their UK counterparts to address these concerns and ensure such mix‑ups do not recur.
This deeply upsetting episode underscores the critical need for transparent, rigorous chain‑of‑custody procedures in disaster response. As official investigations continue into the mechanical causes of the crash, aviation authorities and repatriation services must also review and strengthen protocols for identifying and returning victims so families like Miten Patel’s can finally find closure with confidence.