Scandal after the Air India tragedy. Some families received the wrong remains: “It is a double psychological trauma”
The families of some British victims of the plane crash on June 12, shortly after taking an Air India aircraft from Ahmedabad, have discovered that the remains repatriated in the UK have been wrongly identified.
The identification of the victims was complicated by the severe degree of aircraft destruction. Photo: Archive
In at least two cases, the DNA of the deceased does not correspond to that of the relatives who were called in India for identification. In one of the cases, a family that buried the supposed relative later learned that the coffin did not actually contain the remains of the loved one.
The disclosure was made by lawyer James Healy-Pratt for CBS News, who claims that his company represents over 20 affected families.
Double psychological trauma for affected families
“It is a dual psychological trauma. One is to lose a loved one, but then you go to India, stay in a hotel, give your DNA, pray to God to have a DNA match. Then you are told. You are assured that everything is fine and you receive a certificate. And that we do not know who he is ”, Healy-Pratt said.
The identification of the victims was complicated by the severe degree of aircraft destruction. Indian authorities have stated that international protocols for DNA testing were followed.
The lawyer accuses the lack of transparency
However, the British lawyer challenges how the remains were kept and transferred, accusing the lack of transparency and guarantees regarding the correctness of the process.
“Details are missing. There is no detailed explanation of the custody chain of remnants, from identification and comparison of DNA to deposit. Healy-Pratt said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India transmitted, on Wednesday, July 23, that the remains were treated with respect and professionalism and that they continue to collaborate with the British authorities the disaster of June 12, 2025 – 261 victim to all problems.
Families will compensate
British families demand not only official clarifications and excuses, but also compensation. Healy-Pratt has announced that his team is already working on legal actions against Air India in the UK, and a separate complaint will be filed in the US against Boeing, to obtain additional information about the technical faults that would have contributed to the tragedy.
The subject is expected to be discussed this week in London, during an official meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The aviation tragedy of June 12, 2025
The plane accident, in which 279 people lost their lives a few minutes after taking over the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner airport in Ahmedabad, India. Among the passengers were 52 British citizens. The plane collapsed over a university building.
