Latest news with #Gatwick-bound
Qatar Tribune
23-07-2025
- Qatar Tribune
Air India crash victim's son says he received wrong remains
Agencies The son of a woman killed in the Air India plane crash has told the BBC 'other remains' were found in her casket after her body was returned to the UK. Miten Patel, whose father also died in the crash, said the coroner identified the mixed-up remains and left him to worry: 'How many others are in there?' The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that the wrong bodies were being sent to loved ones following the crash which killed 260 people shortly after take-off in early June. All remains were handled with 'utmost professionalism' and dignity, India's foreign ministry said, and that it was working with UK officials to address concerns. A spokesperson for the UK government said: 'Formal identification of bodies is a matter for the Indian authorities. 'We continue to liaise with the Government of Gujarat and the Government of India on behalf of the Inner West London Senior Coroner to support the coronial process.' Ashok and Shobhana Patel were travelling home to visit their sons and grandchildren on 12 June. After the Gatwick-bound plane crashed in Ahmedabad, western India, they were among the first victims to be returned home. Their son, Miten, said the mix-up was 'obviously very upsetting,' even though he acknowledged that mistakes happen. 'People were tired and there was a lot of pressure. But there has to be a level of responsibility that you're sending the right bodies to the UK. 'How do I know there aren't other remains in the casket with her?' The Daily Mail reported two cases in which the wrong remains were allegedly returned to loved ones in the UK. One apparently saw a family receive the wrong body entirely, while another was said to involve the remains of several people placed in the same casket. India's foreign ministry said that they were aware of the report 'and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention'. The statement continued: 'In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. '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.' The UK's Foreign Office said it was continuing to support relatives and loved ones.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
Air India 171 crash: UK man finds stranger's remains' in mother's casket, India says victims were handled with ‘professionalism'
The son of a woman who died in the recent Air India plane crash has raised concerns about the handling of victims' remains after allegedly discovering that "other remains" were found in his mother's casket. Miten Patel, who also lost his father in the crash, told the BBC that a coroner in the UK informed him of the presence of remains from more than one individual in his mother's casket. The revelation has raised questions about the identification and repatriation of bodies following the incident. Family raises questions over identification process Miten Patel's parents, Ashok and Shobhana Patel, were on board the Gatwick-bound Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12. The crash claimed the lives of 260 people, including 53 British nationals. The couple were among the first victims to be repatriated to the UK. Miten Patel said the discovery of mixed-up remains was deeply upsetting. 'People were tired and there was a lot of pressure. But there has to be a level of responsibility that you're sending the right bodies to the UK," he told the BBC. 'How do I know there aren't other remains in the casket with her?' A British family getting ready to bury a relative who died in the Air India Flight 171 crash were reportedly given the wrong body, causing them to postpone the funeral. According to the Daily Mail, the mistake came to light when the remains in the coffin did not correspond to the… Media reports highlight multiple alleged mix-ups The Daily Mail reported two cases where UK families allegedly received the wrong bodies. In one case, the wrong body was sent entirely, and in another, remains from multiple individuals were reportedly found in a single casket. The newspaper also claimed that families have suffered additional distress due to errors made in the repatriation process. Indian authorities respond to allegations India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to the reports by stating that all mortal remains were handled with 'utmost professionalism' and dignity. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said authorities followed established protocols and technical guidelines during the identification process. '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,' Jaiswal said. 'We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue.' The Indian government has not confirmed any mishandling but stated it remains engaged with UK officials to address the concerns raised. The investigation into the crash and the processes that followed remain ongoing. For affected families, the latest revelations have added a new layer of grief as they seek clarity and accountability.
Hindustan Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Death toll in Bangladesh fighter jet crash rises to 29; Indian medical team to visit Dhaka
The death toll of the Air Force fighter jet crash in Bangladesh has risen to 29, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus confirmed on Wednesday. A Bangladeshi training fighter jet crashed just minutes after take off at 1.06 pm (local time) on Monday.(AFP) A document shared by the chief advisor on X (formerly Twitter) showed that the fatality has risen to 29, while 69 others are still admitted in different hospitals due to the crash. This updated death toll comes two days after the devastating crash, which saw a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashing into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka on Monday. Several students were among those who died in the crash. Also read: 'No one will be harmed, except...': Bangladesh air chief marshal's plea amid protests after Dhaka jet crash in school Indian medical team to visit Dhaka After the deadly crash in Dhaka, which killed dozens and injured hundreds of people including schoolchildren, a medical team from India is likely to visit the Bangladesh capital shortly to support the burn victims of the crash, news agency ANI reported citing the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Wednesday. Also read:'My best friend died in front of me': Student recounts horror of Dhaka jet crash into school The crash in Bangladesh comes just a little over a month after India witnessed a similar tragedy. An Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. The Gatwick-bound Air India plane crashed seconds after taking off into a medical college campus near the airport. 'Technical, mechanical failure' According to the Bangladesh military, the Chinese-made F-7 BJI aircraft crashed into the school due to a 'technical and mechanical failure.' However, a probe is underway to ascertain the exact cause. The crash happened just minutes after the fighter jet took off at 1.06 pm (local time). It is one of the worst aviation tragedies to hit the country in recent years. After the crash, Muhammad Yunus declared a day of national mourning in the country, which was observed on Tuesday. "The loss suffered by the Air Force, the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Milestone School and College, as well as others affected by this accident, is irreparable," he said.
Saudi Gazette
23-07-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Air India crash victim's son says he received wrong remains
DELHI — The son of a woman killed in the Air India plane crash has told the BBC "other remains" were found in her casket after her body was returned to the UK. Miten Patel, whose father also died in the crash, said the coroner identified the mixed-up remains and left him to worry: "How many others are in there?" The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that the wrong bodies were being sent to loved ones following the crash which killed 260 people shortly after take-off in early June. All remains were handled with "utmost professionalism" and dignity, India's foreign ministry said, and that it was working with UK officials to address concerns. Ashok and Shobhana Patel were travelling home to visit their sons and grandchildren on 12 June. After the Gatwick-bound plane crashed in Ahmedabad, western India, they were among the first victims to be returned home. Their son Miten said the mix-up was "obviously very upsetting," even though he acknowledged that mistakes happen. "People were tired and there was a lot of pressure. But there has to be a level of responsibility that you're sending the right bodies to the UK. "How do I know there aren't other remains in the casket with her?" The Daily Mail reported two cases in which the wrong remains were allegedly returned to loved ones in the UK. One apparently saw a family receive the wrong body entirely, while another was said to involve the remains of several people placed in the same casket. India's foreign ministry said that they were aware of the report "and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention". The statement continued: "In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. "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." — BBC
India Today
23-07-2025
- India Today
Wrong bodies of Air India crash victims reached families in UK
At least two families of Air India crash victims in the UK received the wrong bodies, according to the lawyer representing them. Sources in India said the bodies were sent in sealed coffins after DNA sampling by a government hospital in Ahmedabad, and the airline had no role in the mix-up."Remains of the crash victims were wrongly identified and flown to the UK," a lawyer of Keystone Law, representing the families, told India Today mix-up was revealed when the coroner in London attempted to verify the remains of the deceased people by matching their DNA, the lawyer added. "One family had to abandon their funeral plans after being told by the coroner that the coffin contained the body of an unknown person and not that of their family member," said the family received the remains of their family members mixed with the remains of another passenger, with the remains of both the victims placed in the same coffin, according to the lawyer."The family had to get the remains of the two passengers separated before carrying out the funeral of their family member," the lawyer told India Today TV. "One family was left with no one to bury after realising that they had received the wrong remains."The crash of Gatwick-bound AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12 killed 241 people on board. There were 53 British nationals among those killed in the air crash, according to a BBC Daily Mail reported the funerals of several British citizens were carried out in India, while the mortal remains of 12 passengers were sent to the remains were handed over to the families after DNA tests were conducted at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital as most of the bodies were charred beyond told India Today Digital that the remains were handed over by the government hospital in sealed coffins to the next of kin, and Air India had no role in it other than facilitating the transfer and supporting the bereaved families."The Ahmedabad hospital called up the relatives for DNA samples and handed over the sealed coffins to them, while Kenyons International Emergency Services, an agency hired by Air India, supported the bereaved relatives in the process," the source said."We are working on establishing the chain of events about how the bodies of the passengers were recovered and identified," the lawyer told India Today TV, adding that an enquiry had been sought into the mix-up in the receipt of the remains was revealed when Inner West London coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox sought to verify the repatriated Britons' identities by matching their DNA with samples provided by the families."While some victims were either speedily cremated or buried in India, in accordance with their religious beliefs, the remains of at least 12 have been repatriated," aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt, who represents many of the British families, told The Daily is currently helping British families by uncovering the full truth about the crash and making sure they receive fair compensation through the courts, according to the FAMILIES RECEIVED WRONG REMAINS AND DESERVE ANSWERS: HEALY-PRATTHealy-Pratt is now currently looking into the reportedly botched identification process."I've been sitting down in the homes of these lovely British families over the last month, and the first thing they want is their loved ones back," the lawyer told the Mail."But some of them have got the wrong remains, and they are clearly distraught over this. It has been going on for a couple of weeks (and) I think these families deserve an explanation," the news outlet quoted Healy-Pratt as the family who received mixed remains managed to have them separated and proceed with a funeral, he said the other family — referred to as Family X — has been left in X have no-one to bury because it was the wrong person in their casket. And if it isn't their relative, the question is, who is it in that coffin? Presumably it's another passenger and their relatives have been given the wrong remains," he told the lawyer said he is now trying to establish the precise chain of events in the recovery and identification process, beginning when the bodies were pulled from the jet's smouldering trusted officials to handle the process properly and ensure the containers were labelled Taju, a grieving son who lost three family members in the plane crash, said, "Nobody looked at the remains. We weren't allowed to."Taju, from Blackburn, lost his London-based parents, Adam, 72, and Hasina, 70. His parents were travelling with their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel, 51, who also died."They just said, "This is your mother or father", and gave us a paper label with an ID number on it. We had to take their word for it. It's horrific that this could have happened, but what could anyone do?," Taju was quoted as saying by The Daily was told of the mix-up by a police liaison officer. He takes comfort from the fact that his parents and brother-in-law were not involved in the confusion because they were buried quickly in India, The Daily Mail INDIA PLANE CRASHED IN JUNEThe ill-fated Air India flight bound for London's Gatwick Airport, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed on a hostel of medical students near Ahmedabad's Sardar Patel International Airport on June one passenger survived, the death toll stood at the preliminary report out, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe is now focusing on the analysis of data retrieved from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) - together known as the black box - and evidence from the wreckage site.- EndsTune InMust Watch
