logo
Remains of some British Air India crash victims wrongly identified, lawyer says

Remains of some British Air India crash victims wrongly identified, lawyer says

Rhyl Journal3 days ago
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, killing 241 people on board.
Some 169 Indian passengers and 52 British nationals were killed, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British fatalities.
Aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt, whose firm Keystone Law is representing more than 20 British families who lost loved ones in the disaster, said relatives of one victim found out a casket contained 'co-mingled' remains, while a different family were told a coffin contained the body of someone else entirely, not their loved one.
Mr Healy-Pratt, who is a partner at the firm, said the mistakes emerged after the 'sterling efforts' of senior coroner for Inner West London, Dr Fiona Wilcox, who 'picked up DNA anomalies' at the beginning of the repatriations.
'In the first two caskets that were repatriated, in one of the caskets, there was co-mingling of DNA which did not relate to the deceased in that casket or the casket that accompanied it and so that's what alerted her and her team to the fact there was a serious problem,' he told the PA news agency.
'My understanding was that the co-mingling was at the very beginning, which alerted Dr Wilcox to the fact that she had to be 100% assiduous about checking the identification of the incoming remains.
'She was then able to determine that one particular loved one was not at all who the family thought they were.'
The family of three British victims who were buried in India after the crash said there was a 'clear lack of transparency and accountability' in how the identification and repatriation of victims was handled.
Relatives of Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa said in a statement: 'Recent developments have only confirmed what many feared: that serious mistakes may have been made, and that the dignity and rights of victims and their families were not safeguarded as they should have been.
'In our case, we are confident that we received the correct bodies, based on the hospital's assurances, autopsy reports, their clothing and the personal belongings we recovered.
'But our concern now is not limited to ourselves. We are deeply troubled by what this means for other families who may still be searching for certainty and closure.
'This isn't just a personal tragedy; it is a collective one. And the mishandling of such a sensitive process speaks to a wider failure between the British and Indian authorities to act with care, co-ordination and respect.'
It is understood no blame is being put on any UK agency for the blunders, Mr Healy-Pratt told PA.
'We know that they were not allowed anywhere near the DNA identification chain of custody link to the caskets,' he said. 'That was the Indian authorities, that's what we understand.
'But nobody's actually laid that out formally for families to look at and review, and that's what we want – explanations by the Indian government about who was in charge of that chain of custody, why were there the massive mistakes that were made and, the important thing, how do the families know that there aren't other remains of their loved ones in a fridge in an Indian hospital?'
The lawyer said he believes the mistakes will be on the agenda for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mr Healy-Pratt added: 'Somebody has to take responsibility in India for this massive screw up and then they actually have to ensure that they can give proper assurances to the families that the job has been completed and done properly.
'The hierarchy of needs of these families in air crashes, it's always the same.
'The first thing they want is their loved ones back so they can say goodbye to them; the second thing is they want to know how their loved ones died; third thing, they want to prevent further deaths so that all depends on getting number two right; and then number four, it will be some form of financial justice.'
His firm has demanded a written explanation from Air India, including on the involvement of their contractors Kenyon International Emergency Services.
PA has approached Air India's parent company, the Tata Group, and Kenyon Emergency Services for comment, as well as No 10 and the Foreign Office.
Mr Healy-Pratt understands 12 bodies have been repatriated to the UK.
He is investigating the identification mistakes but is also tasked with representing families at inquests, investigating the causes of the accident, taking High Court legal action in England against Air India and taking action against Boeing in the US courts.
Besides those on board AI171, another 19 people also died and 67 were seriously injured.
The only surviving passenger on the plane was Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who previously told The Sun it was a 'miracle' he was alive but felt 'terrible' he could not save his brother Ajay.
A preliminary report into the incident from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found both of the plane's fuel switches moved to the 'cut-off' position 'immediately' after take-off, stopping fuel supply to the engine.
It has sparked questions over whether the crash was deliberate.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

CNN interrupted for major breaking news which could have 'huge impact' on Donald Trump
CNN interrupted for major breaking news which could have 'huge impact' on Donald Trump

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

CNN interrupted for major breaking news which could have 'huge impact' on Donald Trump

A breaking news story halted proceedings on CNN and the future outcome could have ramifications for president Donald Trump. The news organisation broke to breaking news to inform that Ghislaine Maxwell has been granted a form of limited immunity to talk during her meetings with Department of Justice officials. CNN news reporter Erin Burnett read out live on air: "We are just learning this hour that Jeffrey Epstein's ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was granted limited immunity in order to talk with Trump's personal attorney turned deputy attorney general, Todd Blanch." The British socialite and former ex-girlfriend of convicted sex offender Epstein met with Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche on multiple occasions this week. It's said she was the one who initiated the meetings. The limited immunity means that anything Maxwell said that was truthful couldn't be used against her in the future. According to her attorney, David Oscar Markus, during the past days worth of talks, Maxwell was asked questions by DOJ on "maybe about 100 different people". He told CNN and other reporters, she answered the questions put to her and "didn't hold anything back". It's said Maxwell spoke for nine hours over the two days. Trump is mentioned within the Epstein files, with has name appearing multiple times on flight logs for Epstein's private plane in the 1990s. However, it is unknown whether Maxwell's questions involved the president. Trump had said earlier he hasn't thought about giving Maxwell a pardon or commutation for her cooperation. However he hadn't ruled it out. He explained how he is "allowed to do it" but hasn't thought about it. After Maxwell's arrest in connection to Epstein's crimes in 2020, Trump had said: "I do wish her well. I'm not looking for anything bad for her." Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in jail for trafficking underage girls. She was convicted of five charges in December 2021 for recruiting and grooming four girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein, then her boyfriend, between 1994 and 2004 following a month-long trial. Before imposing a 20-year sentence, Judge Nathan summarised the cases of several of the victims. She said Maxwell and Epstein used a "playbook" over the years, and the result was "incalculable" damage to their victims. "The sentence I impose must reflect the gravity of Ms Maxwell's conduct," she said. 'A substantial sentence will send an unmistakable message that those who engage in the sexual abuse and trafficking of underage victims will be held accountable by the law. 'The rule of law demands, and this court agrees, that whether you are rich or powerful or entirely unknown, nobody is above the law." Judge Nathan added: 'It is important to emphasise that although Epstein was central to this criminal scheme, Ms Maxwell is not being punished in place of Epstein or as a proxy for Epstein." She went on to call the crimes "heinous and predatory'. Maxwell continues to appeal her conviction. The initial appeal against her convictions was rejected by a US court in September last year. She currently isn't eligible for release from prison until July 2037.

Police offer £20,000 reward for information over fatal stabbing
Police offer £20,000 reward for information over fatal stabbing

The Independent

time2 hours ago

  • The Independent

Police offer £20,000 reward for information over fatal stabbing

Police are offering £20,000 for any information into the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old man in an east London park, a year after his death. Imran Maroof, 20, was killed on 27 July last year after reports of a fight in Plashet Park, Newham. Police officers arrived at the scene at 7.38pm to find the young man with stab injuries. Despite attempts by the emergency services to stabilise Mr Maroof, the Metropolitan Police said he was pronounced dead at the scene. A 16-year-old boy who could not be named for legal reasons was arrested the following month in connection with the murder, appearing later at Bexley Magistrates' Court, but he was subsequently released. A spokesperson for the force said the case against the teenager was then dropped. Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend from Specialist Crime South said Mr Maroof's murder had a 'profound impact' on the young man's family, adding that the Met 'remains committed' to finding his killer. 'Imran's family and friends continue to live with the trauma,' she said. 'One year has passed since this senseless killing, and the Met remains committed to bringing those who killed Imran to justice. 'If you were in the vicinity of Plashet Park on the day of the stabbing or know anything that could help us, we need you to contact us.' Police have released a photo of the victim, with independent charity Crimestoppers offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information. Alexa Loukas, London regional manager for Crimestoppers, said: 'We know that some people may be reluctant or worried to speak directly to the police with information, which is why Crimestoppers is here. 'We are completely independent and guarantee you will remain 100% anonymous when you contact us. 'We offer a safe way for anyone to come forward and tell us what they know but not who they are. 'We are unable to identify any phone numbers or IP addresses if you are reporting online. 'Imran's family deserve answers, and we hope this reward will encourage someone to do the right thing and speak up with any information that may help the police.' Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting crime reference 6541/27JUL. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Imran Maroof: Reward offered in search for stab victim's killers
Imran Maroof: Reward offered in search for stab victim's killers

BBC News

time2 hours ago

  • BBC News

Imran Maroof: Reward offered in search for stab victim's killers

A £20,000 reward has been offered for help to find those responsible for the fatal stabbing of a man in east London one year Maroof, 20, was found in Plashet Park, Newham on 27 July after officers from the Metropolitan Police were called to reports of a fight. He died at the teenage boys were also discovered at the same place - one with stab injuries and the second with head injuries, but neither were said to be in a life-threatening condition.A 16-year-old boy was charged with murder in August, but the case against him was discontinued, the force said. Det Ch Insp Samantha Townsend said the fatal stabbing has had a "profound impact"."Imran's family and friends continue to live with the trauma," she said."One year has passed since this senseless killing, and the Met remains committed to bringing those who killed Imran to justice."She added: "If you were in the vicinity of Plashet Park on the day of the stabbing or know anything that could help us, we need you to contact us." 'Do the right thing' Alexa Loukas, Crimestoppers manager for London, said Imran's family "deserve answers"."We hope this reward will encourage someone to do the right thing and speak up with any information that may help the police."Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously, she said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store