MEA trashes British media report that 2 UK families received wrong bodies of victims of AI crash
New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI): India on Wednesday virtually trashed a British media report, which claimed that two grieving families in the United Kingdom received wrong bodies of the victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said all mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner of Air India crashed into a building shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad for London on June 12, killing 241 people on board and 19 others on the ground. One passenger survived the crash.
The victims included 53 British nationals.
"We have seen the report and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements," he added.
Jaiswal was responding to media queries regarding a report in the "Daily Mail" on the Air India crash.
"All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased. We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue," he said.
The British newspaper, citing the versions of two unnamed families, claimed that the repatriation of the Britons killed in the crash has been "horrifically bungled".
Official sources said the Air India crash was a gruesome accident and identifying the body parts was a particularly complex exercise.
"In accidents of such nature, it is likely that the body tissues of different people get fused, which may lead to different results when making DNA analysis," one of the sources said.
The "Daily Mail" said bereaved families are suffering a fresh heartache because the "remains of their loved ones were wrongly identified before being flown home".
The relatives of one of the victims had to abandon the funeral plans after being informed that their coffin contained the body of an unknown passenger rather than their family member, it said.
The report even added that though two instances of mistaken identity have so far come to light, there are fears that more such errors could have been made.
Our response to media queries regarding a report in the Daily Mail on the Air India crash⬇️
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 23, 2025
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Bengal elections: Bhangar tense during polling, ISF claims voters, agents threatened
Kolkata (PTI): Tension gripped South 24 Parganas' Bhangar and its adjoining areas during the second phase of polling in West Bengal on Wednesday, with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) accusing TMC of trying to intimidate polling agents and influence voters.
NIA officials have been deployed in at least seven Assembly seats of West Bengal, where the second phase of polling is underway on Wednesday, after the Election Commission asked the federal probe agency to ensure bombs are not used to disrupt polling.
On April 26, police recovered crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, in Bhangar. Later, on a directive by the Union Home Ministry, the NIA registered a case to probe the recovery of 79 crude bombs in the state.
Trouble was reported from several pockets of Bhangar and Canning Purba constituency since morning, prompting heavy deployment of central forces, state police and NIA teams in sensitive areas.
At Hedia in Canning Purba constituency, the ISF alleged that one of its polling agents received death threats from TMC supporters.
ISF candidate Arabul Islam rushed to the spot after receiving the complaint and accused the administration of failing to ensure a fair election.
"Votes are being looted in Canning Purba. Our agents in booths are being driven out of several booths after snatching their cards and documents," he alleged.
Since morning, Islam was seen visiting booths and asking security personnel to clear gatherings within 100 metres of polling stations, while also assisting ISF polling agents in entering booths.
ISF chairman and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddiqui also alleged that party workers and agents were being intimidated by ruling party supporters, but claimed that the overall atmosphere in Bhangar was comparatively peaceful compared to previous elections.
The fresh allegations and tension came a day after several areas of Bhangar, including Kochpukur and Joypur under Bhangar-II block, witnessed clashes between TMC and ISF supporters.
ISF supporters alleged that workers of the ruling party roamed through neighbourhoods on Tuesday night and threatened locals. When ISF workers protested, clashes broke out, leaving at least four of their compatriots, including a woman, injured.
Later, Siddiqui said, "The people of Bhangar are finally exercising their democratic rights. Earlier, bombs, bullets and pistols decided elections here. This time, people are choosing ballots and voting with a smile."
He alleged that "political dealers" and local goons loyal to TMC leader and Bhangar candidate Saukat Molla were trying to provoke ISF workers and create tension in certain areas.
"Agents are being threatened and prevented from functioning freely. We repeatedly informed the administration, but police are acting in favour of the ruling party and not cooperating," Siddiqui alleged.
Later in the day, the ISF leader also claimed that voters were prevented from exercising their franchise freely during the 2023 panchayat polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the situation has improved this time, he said.
The TMC denied the allegations and accused the ISF of trying to create unrest in the constituency to influence polling.
Security was significantly tightened in Bhangar, where, apart from state police and central forces, a special team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was also deployed to monitor sensitive pockets.
