How a Grieving Family Uncovered the Mistake in Air India Crash Victims’ Remains

Published: 04 August ‘2025 | The English Chronicle Desk

Nearly two months after the devastating crash of Air India Flight 171, the anguish for many bereaved families in the UK continues — not only from the loss of loved ones, but from disturbing revelations surrounding the handling of their remains. Among the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the 12 June tragedy were 53 British nationals, many of whom have only recently been laid to rest due to prolonged repatriation delays and, in at least one case, a harrowing mistake.

In a deeply emotional memorial service held in Wembley, more than 300 mourners gathered to remember victims from London’s Gujarati community. Miten Patel, who lost both his parents — Ashok and Shobhana Patel — in the crash, stood before the grieving crowd wearing his father’s emerald ring, recovered miraculously from the wreckage. Though the ring found its way back home, the repatriation of the remains carried a far more painful story.

Miten’s parents were among the first victims to be brought back to the UK. But as he shared with mourners and Sky News, a routine CT scan revealed that his mother’s casket contained remains that were not hers. “When they were back home, the first thing that they did was a CT scan,” he explained. “And that’s when it came about — the CT scan showed that with mum’s remains, there were further remains there too. I don’t know what they were. I don’t know how many.”

This shocking discovery delayed the family’s ability to hold the funeral, denying them a timely moment of closure. Miten expressed his gratitude to Professor Fiona Wilcox, the senior coroner at Inner West London Coroner’s Court, for delivering the news with care and sensitivity. But the emotional toll on his family was profound. “I think there should be a level of responsibility taken. Why did that happen? Where was the flaw in that process?” he asked, acknowledging the overwhelming challenges faced by authorities managing hundreds of victims’ remains in the aftermath of such a catastrophe.

Ashok Patel had worked as a financial adviser and Shobhana was a retired microbiologist. Their funeral was eventually attended by hundreds, a reflection of their impact within their community. For Miten, as the eldest son, the responsibility of organising the farewell was compounded by the distress and uncertainty caused by the remains mix-up.

In response to the concerns raised, Indian government spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal assured the public that authorities were following strict protocols. “All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased,” he said. “We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue.”

The crash, which occurred just minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick, sent shockwaves around the world. Images of the burning wreckage were shared globally within moments, triggering panic among families waiting for news. In the UK, relatives scrambled for answers, many unable to reach their loved ones, as the tragic reality slowly emerged.

While the world has begun to move on from the headlines, the pain for those left behind remains raw. For families like the Patels, the journey toward healing has been marred by confusion, grief, and unanswered questions — a reminder that the human cost of such disasters extends far beyond the initial moment of tragedy.