Arwen Greenlaw, sister of Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, who died in the Air India crash, speaks out about the "added trauma" her family faces after being given misidentified remains. Calls for accountability and better protocols are rising as investigations continue.
Family of Air India Crash Victim Faces Additional Trauma from Misidentified Remains
Family of Air India Crash Victim Faces Additional Trauma from Misidentified Remains
A woman mourns her brother's death in the Air India crash, expressing anguish over receiving the wrong remains, reflecting the need for accountability and proper protocols.
A woman whose brother was among the victims of the Air India plane crash has voiced her family's anguish after receiving the wrong body, stating that it has exacerbated their trauma. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, and his husband Jamie, 45, were among the 242 individuals aboard the flight that tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12.
Arwen Greenlaw, Fiongal's sister, has emphasized the need for dignity, closure, and accountability regarding the mislabeling of her brother's remains. "If that is not possible — because the worst case scenario is that he has been cremated as somebody else — then we need to know that in order to move on," she shared with BBC Newsnight. The UK Foreign Office has stated its continued support for families impacted by the crash, affirming that the formal identification of bodies lies with Indian authorities.
Ms. Greenlaw expressed her desire for her brother to be treated with dignity during the identification process, expressing disbelief at the chaos surrounding it. The crash claimed at least 270 lives, including those from a residential area near the airport where the aircraft came down. The preliminary report indicates fuel supply to the plane's engines was cut off just after takeoff, although the cause of this issue remains unclear.
After the incident, their mother traveled to India for the identification process. Upon her return, she believed she had received Fiongal’s remains, but it was discovered that the casket contained parts from two different individuals, prompting further DNA testing that confirmed the remains were not Fiongal's. “It has been the equivalent of losing him twice,” Arwen lamented.
The couple was well known for their spiritual wellness center in Ramsgate and had planned workshops for the local Pride event. Ms. Greenlaw described them as “two parts of the one soul.” In response to the distressing situation, a Foreign Office spokesperson assured that dedicated caseworkers have been assigned to support affected families.
Recent memorial services have highlighted the stories of other victims, with families expressing similar grievances about identification issues. India's foreign ministry has claimed that all remains were handled professionally, pledging to work with UK authorities to address ongoing concerns. Investigations into the crash and its causes are ongoing, with a final report expected in the coming year.
