Following reports in the UK media concerning the handling of remains after the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, India has responded, stating that it is working closely with the UK to address any concerns. The crash, which involved a Boeing 787, resulted in the deaths of all but one of the 242 people on board, as well as 19 people on the ground. Among the deceased, 52 were British citizens.

The Daily Mail reported that the remains of two British victims were incorrectly identified before being repatriated to the UK. According to the report, one family had to call off a funeral after being informed that the coffin contained the remains of someone else. Aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt, representing some of the British families, is seeking to understand what led to the alleged botched repatriation process. He conveyed the distress of the families, emphasizing their desire to have their loved ones back and the added pain caused by receiving the wrong remains.

In response to these reports, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Indian authorities are collaborating with their UK counterparts on the matter. Jaiswal emphasized that the identification of victims was carried out following established protocols and technical requirements. He asserted that all mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased.

The Indian government's response came hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to begin a two-nation tour to the UK and the Maldives. The misidentification issue is expected to be raised during Modi's state visit to the UK.