The aftermath of the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, India, continues to be a source of immense pain and distress for the families of the victims, with the misidentification of remains adding another layer of trauma to their grief. The Air India flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 241 passengers and crew members, and 19 people on the ground.
Several British families have allegedly received the wrong remains of their loved ones, leading to what has been described as a "double psychological trauma". In one instance, a family had to cancel funeral arrangements after discovering that the casket contained the body of an unknown person. In another case, the remains of multiple victims were mistakenly placed in a single casket and had to be separated before the funeral could proceed. According to reports, the errors surfaced when Dr. Fiona Wilcox, a senior coroner for London Inner West, attempted to verify the identities of the repatriated British victims by matching their DNA with samples provided by their families.
The misidentification of remains has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. James Healy-Pratt, an aviation lawyer representing several of the affected UK families, stated that the families "deserve an explanation" for the mix-up. He described the situation as a "double psychological trauma," highlighting the immense distress caused by the error. He also noted the families want to "draw a line under their emotional distress".
The Indian government has responded to the concerns, with a spokesperson for the Indian Foreign Ministry stating that authorities "have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention". However, some families remain unsatisfied with the lack of transparency and accountability in the handling of the identification and repatriation process. They have expressed concerns about poor communication, unclear procedures, and a lack of response to their inquiries.
The preliminary report by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated that the crash occurred because fuel was cut off to both engines shortly after takeoff. The fuel control switches were found in the "cutoff" position. The report also revealed that one of the pilots was heard asking the other why he had cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded that he did not do so. The investigation is still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the switch movement. The head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the crash does not appear to have been caused by a mechanical issue or inadvertent movement of the fuel control unit or switches.
Amidst the ongoing investigation, the focus for many families remains on bringing their loved ones home and laying them to rest. The misidentification of remains has only compounded their grief and prolonged the closure they desperately seek. The families are now looking for answers and accountability to ensure that such errors are not repeated in the future.
