A senior British coroner has revealed that mortuary workers in London were exposed to dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals when handling the bodies of victims from the Air India Flight 171 crash. The flight, which went down on 12 June 2025 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claimed the lives of 241 people onboard and 19 people on the ground. The remains of 53 British nationals were later repatriated to the United Kingdom, where the discovery of chemical contamination raised new concerns about safety during international repatriation procedures.
The findings became public in early December 2025 after a formal report detailed the conditions at Westminster Public Mortuary. Staff reported powerful fumes escaping immediately after they opened the coffins. Environmental testing showed extremely high levels of formaldehyde in the air along with traces of cyanide and carbon monoxide. These substances together created a hazardous working environment for personnel who had no warning about the level of risk they would face.
Senior Coroner Fiona Wilcox described the exposure as a significant chemical hazard. She noted that the bodies had been saturated with a strong formalin solution at a concentration of around 40 percent, which is much higher than what mortuaries typically encounter during routine repatriations. She added that some chemicals could have formed as a result of the intense heat of the crash and subsequent fires, which reached temperatures high enough to alter tissues and chemicals within the remains.
The coroner highlighted that formaldehyde exposure can cause severe irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. Cyanide and carbon monoxide can interfere with the body’s ability to process oxygen, which can lead to dizziness, headaches and in extreme cases life threatening reactions. While no staff members have developed illnesses so far, the report stressed that the long term effects of such exposure cannot be dismissed.
In her Prevention of Future Deaths report, the coroner urged authorities to strengthen mortuary safety measures. She recommended immediate improvements such as mandatory environmental monitoring, better ventilation systems and clearer communication about the chemical condition of bodies received from overseas. She also emphasised the need for personal protective equipment for staff whenever repatriated remains arrive after disasters involving fire or chemical contamination.
Mortuary workers reported that they had not been prepared for such intense fumes and felt overwhelmed when the coffins were opened. The coroner stated that these workers deserved better protection and clearer guidelines to avoid preventable harm.
Air India Flight 171 crashed into a building at B J Medical College in Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025. The aircraft had been bound for London Gatwick. The force of the impact and the subsequent fire created severe challenges for identification and preservation. This led to the use of strong embalming chemicals so the bodies could be transported to grieving families abroad.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)