Bereaved families of the Air India crash victims have been sent the wrong bodies, causing further distress and uncertainty.
The mistake was discovered when the Inner West London coroner, Dr. Fiona Wilcox, attempted to verify the identities of the repatriated Britons by matching their DNA with samples provided by the families.
In one instance, a family was informed that their coffin contained the body of an unknown passenger, rather than their loved one.
Another blunder involved the “commingled” remains of more than one person being placed in the same casket, which had to be separated before the internment could proceed.
Attorney James Healy-Pratt, representing many of the British families, stated that the families are “clearly distraught” over the situation, which has been ongoing for weeks.
Healy-Pratt emphasized that the families deserve an explanation for the mistake.
The UK government has expressed sympathy for the families, acknowledging that they are experiencing an “extremely distressing time.” The government spokesperson noted that the formal identification of bodies is the responsibility of the Indian authorities.
In light of this development, aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt is fighting for compensation in the courts following the catastrophe.
The coroner’s office is working to establish the precise chain of events in the recovery and identification process, which began when the bodies were pulled from the smoldering wreckage and ended when they reached Britain.
A government spokesperson urged the public to come forward with any information, stating, “We understand that this is an extremely distressing time for the families, and our thoughts remain with them.”