Air India crash victim's family urges PM action

Miten Patel, whose parents Ashok and Shobhana Patel died in the Air India plane crash on 12 June 2025, has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging action over the "catastrophic handling" of the incident. The crash, which occurred shortly after departure from Ahmedabad Airport, India, claimed the lives of 260 people, including 51 British citizens. One passenger survived the flight bound for Gatwick.

Mr Patel stated that after his parents' remains were returned to the UK, he was informed his mother's casket contained the remains of another individual. He also noted that another family received the wrong remains entirely. In an open letter on behalf of victims' families, he described "a severe lack of communication" with those affected, which he said was "adding to the grief that we have."

Call for formal investigation

In his letter to the prime minister and foreign secretary, Mr Patel called on Mr Burnham to demonstrate the same "determination and commitment to truth" that he showed the Hillsborough families. He specifically requested that the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch formally investigate the crash. Mr Patel also called for a "bilateral inquiry" into the "mishandling" of victims' remains. Indian authorities are responsible for the investigation and formal identification of bodies due to the crash location.

A government spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with all the families and loved ones of the victims in this tragic accident. The Foreign Office continues to provide support to each family in need of help, including dedicated consular caseworkers, and we remain in contact with the Indian authorities."