The crash of Air India flight AI 171 in July 2025 claimed the lives of a British couple, ending their long journey to parenthood but also leaving behind a complex ethical and legal dilemma. The couple, who were from London, had been undergoing IVF treatment in Gujarat, India, for seven years in the hopes of starting a family.
Repeated IVF attempts and a miscarriage at seven weeks had marked their journey, complicated by the woman's treatment for endometriosis. Despite these challenges, they persevered, and in April, doctors successfully froze an embryo after a corrective surgery. The couple planned to return to Gujarat in July for the embryo transfer, with their ancestral home in the region prepared for the arrival of their child. Tragically, they were passengers on AI 171, which crashed shortly after takeoff. All 242 people on board died.
An IVF specialist described the situation as incredibly rare and heartbreaking, noting that the embryo remains preserved but without its biological parents. The question of the embryo's future is now fraught with legal and ethical considerations. Indian law prohibits the donation of "orphan embryos" and posthumous surrogacy. However, because the couple were British citizens, there may be a legal pathway forward.
With the approval of India's National Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Surrogacy Board, the embryo could potentially be transferred abroad. In this case, the child's grandparents might be able to pursue surrogacy. India's ART rules permit embryos to be preserved for a minimum of 10 years, with the possibility of extending it to 20 with special permission.
The couple, Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and Jamie Ray Meek, ran The Wellness Foundary, and were returning to the UK after visiting India for an Ayurvedic retreat. Before boarding the flight, they posted a farewell message on their spiritual wellness brand's Instagram account. In the video, Fiongal joked with Jamie about his biggest takeaway from the trip, saying, "My biggest takeaway is don't lose patience with your partner,". He added, "Going back happily, happily, happily, calm,".
Their final night was spent at The House of MG heritage hotel, where they enjoyed a traditional meal. Jamie expressed his desire to remember the trip and share it with others, as they had been on quite a journey. Fiongal, a tarot reader, described the experience as magical and mind-blowing.
