NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Wednesday reacted to the media report claiming that wrong bodies were sent to some of the British victims ' families of the Air India crash. Ensuring that the country's authorities were working with the UK's side on the issue, it categorically noted that "all mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism."
"We have seen the report and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention. In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements," the statement shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal read.
"All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased. We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue," it said.
What does the report say?
According to a Daily Mail, families of deceased British nationals from the Air India crash had reportedly received the wrong bodies due to misidentification.
The identity mix-ups were uncovered when coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox cross-checked the repatriated Britons' DNA with family samples.
In at least two cases, grieving relatives in the UK discovered the errors after the remains were returned. In one instance, a family had to cancel funeral plans upon realizing the body in the coffin was not their loved one.
In another case, the remains of several crash victims were reportedly mixed together and placed in a single casket.
Also read: British victims' families receive wrong bodies; multiple remains in a casket had to be separated
"We have seen the report and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention. In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements," the statement shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal read.
"All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased. We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue," it said.
Our response to media queries regarding a report in the Daily Mail on the Air India crash⬇️
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 23, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/pTWIIMSBhi pic.twitter.com/IP9QgLNuz7
What does the report say?
According to a Daily Mail, families of deceased British nationals from the Air India crash had reportedly received the wrong bodies due to misidentification.
The identity mix-ups were uncovered when coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox cross-checked the repatriated Britons' DNA with family samples.
In at least two cases, grieving relatives in the UK discovered the errors after the remains were returned. In one instance, a family had to cancel funeral plans upon realizing the body in the coffin was not their loved one.
In another case, the remains of several crash victims were reportedly mixed together and placed in a single casket.
Also read: British victims' families receive wrong bodies; multiple remains in a casket had to be separated
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