The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday (February 12) rejected media reports suggesting that the probe into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash had been completed, calling such claims “incorrect and speculative.” In a statement, the aviation investigation authority, which functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, stressed that inquiries into the June 2025 tragedy remain ongoing. It stressed that no definitive findings have been issued so far.&nbsp;The clarification follows a report by Italian daily Corriere della Sera, which claimed that investigators had ruled out any technical malfunction involving the aircraft’s fuel switches. The publication, citing sources from Western aviation agencies, suggested that the crash may have resulted from an “intentional act,” alleging that one of the pilots switched off both fuel controls before the aircraft went down. Refuting these assertions, the AAIB reiterated that the investigation has not reached any final stage and warned against drawing premature conclusions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dac-approves-114-rafale-jets-from-france-for-iaf-90-to-be-manufactured-in-india-1770899769494">DAC approves 114 Rafale jets from France for IAF; 90 to be manufactured in India</a>&nbsp;Air India Flight 171, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed near Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, moments after takeoff. The aircraft lost power in both engines and descended within 32 seconds, striking a medical students’ hostel. Of the 242 people on board, 241 lost their lives. Several individuals on the ground were also killed, taking the total death toll to 260.&nbsp;In the aftermath of the disaster, Air India has started returning personal belongings recovered from the wreckage to the families of victims. The airline confirmed that thousands of items, including clothing, jewellery, travel papers, electronic gadgets, and other valuables, were retrieved during search operations at the crash site.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-votes-first-time-since-hasina-s-ouster-as-bnp-faces-jamaat-challenge-1770900267156/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-votes-first-time-since-hasina-s-ouster-as-bnp-faces-jamaat-challenge-1770900267156/embed</a>&nbsp;According to the airline, each recovered item was catalogued and preserved before efforts were made to identify and match them with the rightful families. The handover process is being conducted in coordination with local authorities and consular representatives, especially in cases involving relatives living abroad. Families are being approached individually and provided with details about how and when the belongings will be returned. While the initiative aims to offer some measure of closure, it has also drawn scrutiny and raised concerns among affected families.

'Incorrect and speculative': AAIB denies report claiming investigation in Air India AI-171 crash is complete

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday (February 12) rejected media reports suggesting that the probe into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash had been completed, calling such claims “incorrect and speculative.” In a statement, the aviation investigation authority, which functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, stressed that inquiries into the June 2025 tragedy remain ongoing. It stressed that no definitive findings have been issued so far. The clarification follows a report by Italian daily Corriere della Sera, which claimed that investigators had ruled out any technical malfunction involving the aircraft’s fuel switches. The publication, citing sources from Western aviation agencies, suggested that the crash may have resulted from an “intentional act,” alleging that one of the pilots switched off both fuel controls before the aircraft went down. Refuting these assertions, the AAIB reiterated that the investigation has not reached any final stage and warned against drawing premature conclusions. Also Read: DAC approves 114 Rafale jets from France for IAF; 90 to be manufactured in India Air India Flight 171, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed near Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025, moments after takeoff. The aircraft lost power in both engines and descended within 32 seconds, striking a medical students’ hostel. Of the 242 people on board, 241 lost their lives. Several individuals on the ground were also killed, taking the total death toll to 260. In the aftermath of the disaster, Air India has started returning personal belongings recovered from the wreckage to the families of victims. The airline confirmed that thousands of items, including clothing, jewellery, travel papers, electronic gadgets, and other valuables, were retrieved during search operations at the crash site. https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-votes-first-time-since-hasina-s-ouster-as-bnp-faces-jamaat-challenge-1770900267156/embed According to the airline, each recovered item was catalogued and preserved before efforts were made to identify and match them with the rightful families. The handover process is being conducted in coordination with local authorities and consular representatives, especially in cases involving relatives living abroad. Families are being approached individually and provided with details about how and when the belongings will be returned. While the initiative aims to offer some measure of closure, it has also drawn scrutiny and raised concerns among affected families.

AAIB rejects claims that the Air India AI-171 crash investigation is complete, saying the probe remains ongoing with no final findings yet

&nbsp;Air India has started the process of returning personal belongings recovered from the wreckage of its Ahmedabad plane crash to the families of victims, months after one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. 

The move comes as investigations and legal proceedings related to the crash continue in India and abroad.

The crash occurred in June 2025, when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating a scheduled flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after take-off.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew. All but one person on board were killed, along with several people on the ground, making it one of the most catastrophic air accidents involving an Indian carrier in decades.

According to the airline, thousands of personal items were recovered from the crash site during extensive search and recovery operations. These include clothing, jewellery, travel documents, electronic devices and other personal effects belonging to passengers and crew members.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Air India said each item was carefully catalogued, documented and preserved before being matched, where possible, with the rightful families.

The airline has said that the return of belongings is being carried out through a structured and sensitive process, in coordination with local authorities and consular officials, particularly for families based overseas. Families are being contacted individually and provided guidance on how the belongings will be handed over.

However, the process has not been without controversy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some families, especially those living in the United Kingdom, have voiced distress over the manner in which certain communications were handled. In a few cases, relatives reported receiving images or descriptions of recovered items that they found deeply upsetting, prompting criticism of the airline’s approach and calls for greater sensitivity.

Beyond the return of personal effects, Air India continues to face scrutiny over broader issues linked to the crash. Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, with aviation authorities examining technical data, maintenance records and cockpit voice recordings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Separately, several families have initiated legal action, particularly in the UK, seeking compensation and accountability.

In response, Air India has said it remains committed to supporting victims’ families and acknowledged the profound grief they continue to experience. The airline has reiterated its intention to cooperate fully with investigators and legal authorities while improving communication with affected relatives

Ahmedabad plane crash: Air India starts returning victims’ belongings to families of victims

Air India has started the process of returning personal belongings recovered from the wreckage of its Ahmedabad plane crash to the families of victims, months after one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. The move comes as investigations and legal proceedings related to the crash continue in India and abroad. The crash occurred in June 2025, when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating a scheduled flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after take-off. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew. All but one person on board were killed, along with several people on the ground, making it one of the most catastrophic air accidents involving an Indian carrier in decades. According to the airline, thousands of personal items were recovered from the crash site during extensive search and recovery operations. These include clothing, jewellery, travel documents, electronic devices and other personal effects belonging to passengers and crew members. Air India said each item was carefully catalogued, documented and preserved before being matched, where possible, with the rightful families. The airline has said that the return of belongings is being carried out through a structured and sensitive process, in coordination with local authorities and consular officials, particularly for families based overseas. Families are being contacted individually and provided guidance on how the belongings will be handed over. However, the process has not been without controversy. Some families, especially those living in the United Kingdom, have voiced distress over the manner in which certain communications were handled. In a few cases, relatives reported receiving images or descriptions of recovered items that they found deeply upsetting, prompting criticism of the airline’s approach and calls for greater sensitivity. Beyond the return of personal effects, Air India continues to face scrutiny over broader issues linked to the crash. Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, with aviation authorities examining technical data, maintenance records and cockpit voice recordings. Separately, several families have initiated legal action, particularly in the UK, seeking compensation and accountability. In response, Air India has said it remains committed to supporting victims’ families and acknowledged the profound grief they continue to experience. The airline has reiterated its intention to cooperate fully with investigators and legal authorities while improving communication with affected relatives

Air India said each item was carefully catalogued, documented and preserved before being matched, where possible, with the rightful families

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday evening reacted to a UK-based publication's report claiming that the bodies of two Britons killed in the Air India crash had been wrongly identified and sent to Britain, saying it is working with the authorities in the United Kingdom to address their concerns. The ministry's spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, however, said that the concerned authorities in India had carried out the identification of victims according to established protocols and that the mortal remains were handled with "utmost professionalism".&nbsp;"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. In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out the identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased," the ministry said in a statement, shared by Jaiswal on X.&nbsp;261 people, including passengers, crew, and several people on the ground, died after a London-bound Air India plane crashed into a hostel seconds after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. Since the crash of the plane carrying thousands of litres of fuel triggered a massive explosion, most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition. The authorities released the bodies of the victims to their families based on DNA tests. “We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue,” Jaiswal added.<h2>What did the report say?</h2>The report was published by the UK daily, The Daily Mail, on Wednesday. It said that the "repatriation of Britons killed in the Air India disaster has been horrifically bungled".&nbsp;It claimed that the remains of the loved ones of the bereaved families were wrongly identified and sent to the UK. It said the relatives of one such victim were forced to abandon their funeral plans after they were informed that their coffin contained the body of an unknown passenger.&nbsp;&nbsp;In another such case, the publication reported, the 'commingled' remnants of more than one person killed in the crash were mistakenly placed in the same casket.&nbsp;The Daily Mail reported that the commingled remnants of the bodies had to be separated. It called the row a case of shocking blunders, which was revealed when Inner West London coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox sought to verify the repatriated Britons' identities by matching their DNA with samples provided by the families. The report further said that Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to raise concerns with his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;It said two such instances have so far come to light. However, there could be more such errors. Many of the British victims of the crash had been cremated or buried in India. At least 12 bodies were sent to the UK.&nbsp;The daily quoted aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt as saying that the victims' kin were distraught over the blunder.&nbsp;"Some of them have got the wrong remains, and they are distraught over this. It has been going on for a couple of weeks, and I think these families deserve an explanation," he told the Daily Mail.&nbsp;He said one family could hold a funeral service as the commingled remains were separated; the other family is awaiting the body.&nbsp;"Family X has no one to bury because it was the wrong person in their casket. And if it isn't their relative, the question is, who is it in that coffin?" he said.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday evening reacted to a UK-based publication's report claiming that the bodies of two Britons killed in the Air India crash had been wrongly identified and sent to Britain.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday evening reacted to a UK-based publication's report claiming that the bodies of two Britons killed in the Air India crash had been wrongly identified and sent to Britain, saying it is working with the authorities in the United Kingdom to address their concerns. The ministry's spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, however, said that the concerned authorities in India had carried out the identification of victims according to established protocols and that the mortal remains were handled with "utmost professionalism". "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. In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out the identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased," the ministry said in a statement, shared by Jaiswal on X. 261 people, including passengers, crew, and several people on the ground, died after a London-bound Air India plane crashed into a hostel seconds after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. Since the crash of the plane carrying thousands of litres of fuel triggered a massive explosion, most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition. The authorities released the bodies of the victims to their families based on DNA tests. “We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue,” Jaiswal added. What did the report say? The report was published by the UK daily, The Daily Mail, on Wednesday. It said that the "repatriation of Britons killed in the Air India disaster has been horrifically bungled". It claimed that the remains of the loved ones of the bereaved families were wrongly identified and sent to the UK. It said the relatives of one such victim were forced to abandon their funeral plans after they were informed that their coffin contained the body of an unknown passenger. In another such case, the publication reported, the 'commingled' remnants of more than one person killed in the crash were mistakenly placed in the same casket. The Daily Mail reported that the commingled remnants of the bodies had to be separated. It called the row a case of shocking blunders, which was revealed when Inner West London coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox sought to verify the repatriated Britons' identities by matching their DNA with samples provided by the families. The report further said that Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to raise concerns with his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It said two such instances have so far come to light. However, there could be more such errors. Many of the British victims of the crash had been cremated or buried in India. At least 12 bodies were sent to the UK. The daily quoted aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt as saying that the victims' kin were distraught over the blunder. "Some of them have got the wrong remains, and they are distraught over this. It has been going on for a couple of weeks, and I think these families deserve an explanation," he told the Daily Mail. He said one family could hold a funeral service as the commingled remains were separated; the other family is awaiting the body. "Family X has no one to bury because it was the wrong person in their casket. And if it isn't their relative, the question is, who is it in that coffin?" he said.

Air India crash: It said that the "repatriation of Britons killed in the Air India disaster has been horrifically bungled".

'Who's in coffin?': What UK report on wrongly 'repatriated' Air India crash victims said; India reacts

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'Incorrect and speculative': AAIB denies report claiming investigation in Air India AI-171 crash is complete

Ahmedabad plane crash: AI starts returning victims’ belongings to kin of victims

'Who's in coffin?': What UK media report on AI crash victims said; India reacts