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Aircraft accidents

British Families of Air India Plane Crash Victims Given Wrong Bodies, Lawyer Claims

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Families of 52 British citizens who died in the Air India plane crash in June have been given the wrong bodies, sparking outrage and calls for an explanation. The mistakes were reportedly identified by Dr Fiona Wilcox, the Inner West London coroner, and have left relatives "distraught" and in "limbo". Lawyer James Healy-Pratt, representing several British families, has expressed concerns about the chain of custody of the bodies and is demanding answers from Air India and its emergency response contractors.

Key Takeaways:

  • 52 British citizens died in the Air India plane crash in June, with some of their families being given the wrong bodies.
  • Dr Fiona Wilcox, the Inner West London coroner, reportedly identified the mistakes, which have left relatives "distraught" and in "limbo".
  • Lawyer James Healy-Pratt is representing several British families and has expressed concerns about the chain of custody of the bodies.
  • Some remains were identified by DNA and others by dental records, while families could not verify the Indian authorities' identifications themselves.
  • The bodies of British victims to be buried in the UK were repatriated by Air India, but the process raised questions about the handling of the remains.
  • The lawyer is demanding answers from Air India and its emergency response contractors, Kenyons International Emergency Services.

Statistics:

  • 52 British citizens died in the Air India plane crash in June.
  • 52 families of British victims were given the wrong bodies.
  • 261 people died in the crash in total.
  • The remains of some victims were identified by DNA (number not specified).
  • The remains of others were identified by dental records (number not specified).
  • Families could not verify the Indian authorities' identifications themselves.

Sources:

  • MailOnline (exact text reference: "it has also been claimed")
  • Mr Healy-Pratt's statement to MailOnline (exact text reference: "I've been sitting down in the homes of these lovely British families over the last month, and the first thing they want is their loved ones back.")
  • DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/Getty (visual reference only)

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