Families in Britain who lost loved ones in the Air India Flight 171 crash continue to wait for DNA confirmations of human remains, with concerns mounting after reports of possible misidentification and mishandling during repatriation. The flight, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing all 241 passengers and crew on board.
Keystone Law, representing many of the bereaved British families, confirmed this week that matched remains may have been located in India. However, official confirmation is still awaited despite high-level bilateral discussions between New Delhi and London.
“The UK and Indian governments have held high-level talks, as a result of the international media coverage of this problem,” said James Healy-Pratt, Aviation Partner at Keystone Law. “It is believed that some matched DNA remains may now have been located in India. Confirmation is awaited,” he added.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is understood to have raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the UK last week. The matter had gained traction in British media following revelations that two of the 12 caskets returned to the UK were misidentified.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to these concerns, stating, “All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased.” It further added, “We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue.”
The scale of the issue, however, remains uncertain. “Of a sample of 12 caskets repatriated from India to the UK, two were mislabelled, mishandled and misidentified,” said Healy-Pratt. “Extrapolated out, with an unacceptable error rate of 15 per cent, that would suggest 40 sets of remains may have been mislabelled, mishandled and misidentified. That is a known unknown, and many of the families’ loved ones have been cremated already.”
An inquest into the deaths of British passengers has already been opened and adjourned in London, overseen by the Senior Coroner in accordance with UK procedure. Meanwhile, the families await clarity not only on DNA matches but also on technical aspects of the crash investigation.
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The Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary report published on 12 July, indicated that fuel supply to both engines was cut off soon after takeoff. The engines reportedly attempted a restart, but the aircraft crashed before recovery was possible, striking the campus of B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad and killing 19 people on the ground.
Keystone Law has called for the AAIB to release critical data, particularly from the Cockpit Voice Recorder, to families. “The Indian AAIB has this evidence, and has for unexplained reasons not shared this detail with the families of AI 171. The Indian AAIB cannot complain of further speculation when evidence in its possession is not released to the families on a transparent basis,” Healy-Pratt said.
He also sought clarification about the “transitioning of the fuel cutoff switches” and the voice recordings from the cockpit, urging transparency.
Concerns have also emerged about potential compensation packages. “There is talk of TATA setting up a (Rs) 500 crore fund for all the AI 171 families – which will provide ex gratia support (legally a gift and separate and apart from any Court ordered compensation against Air India, or indeed Boeing) of a minimum of (Rs) 1 crore per loved one lost,” said Healy-Pratt.
“Families deserve to get details of that support urgently, as legal proceedings take time in India, England, and the United States,” he added.
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which holds expert status in the Indian inquiry, has confirmed that it is reviewing the Indian bureau’s preliminary findings.
Several families have previously demanded that a mechanism for expert representation be established within the Indian-led investigation, voicing concern that they remain on the margins of the process despite losing close relatives in the crash.
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