A major health and safety crisis unfolded at a London mortuary after workers were exposed to deadly gases while handling the bodies of British victims from the AI171 plane crash, which had been repatriated from India. A senior UK coroner has issued a stark warning, revealing that the coffins contained dangerously high levels of preservative chemicals.
Coroner's Report Reveals Chemical Hazard
Inner West London senior coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox detailed the incident in a formal "Prevention of Future Deaths" report sent to UK Housing Secretary Steve Reed and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The report states that the remains of several of the 53 British victims of the June 12 plane crash, which killed 241 people in total, were brought to the Westminster Public Mortuary.
Upon opening the coffins, it became immediately clear there was a significant chemical hazard. The bodies, which had been prepared in India, were wrapped and saturated in a preservative solution containing a "dangerously high" 40% concentration of formalin. Formalin, which contains formaldehyde, is a known carcinogen linked to causing myeloid leukaemia.
Multiple Deadly Gases Detected
The danger was not limited to formalin fumes. Professor Wilcox's report further disclosed that carbon monoxide and cyanide were also detected in the mortuary at dangerous levels following the opening of the coffins and the unwrapping of the bodies. This created a multi-faceted toxic environment for the staff.
The situation was so severe that authorities had to call in police officers trained in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents. Emergency systems were implemented to mitigate the risks, which included the use of environmental monitoring equipment and breathing apparatus for protection.
Call for Action to Prevent Future Deaths
The coroner's report highlights a critical gap in safety protocols. It notes that mortuary users appeared unaware of the dangers posed by such high levels of formalin, which is commonly used to preserve remains for repatriation from abroad. Furthermore, UK mortuaries were found to be ill-equipped to handle bodies "significantly contaminated with formalin."
Professor Wilcox's report is a direct call for the UK government to take action to prevent future deaths among mortuary staff. The ministers have 56 days to respond to the report's findings and outline the steps they will take. This incident underscores the urgent need for revised international protocols and better domestic preparedness for handling repatriated remains that may pose chemical risks.
