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Wrong body repatriated from UAE to India because of ’human error’

Family members, Indian embassy staff, and UAE officials are working around the clock to resolve the mix-up.

It is an agonising wait for two grieving families in India - one in Kerala and the other in Tamil Nadu - as the mortal remains of their loved ones got caught in a strange mix-up that happened while repatriating the bodies from the UAE.

The body of Nidhin Othayoth Kottaron, 29, is still stranded in a morgue in Abu Dhabi while the remains of Kamatchi Krishnan, 39, from Tamil Nadu, was wrongly sent to the former’s relatives in Kerala on Friday. It is being kept in a government hospital mortuary, awaiting clearance.

Nidhin, who was working as a site supervisor in Maxwell Technical Services in Ruwais, was found hanging in his company’s accommodation on July 5. And Krishnan, who worked as an electrician in Khatal Daan General Contracting, reportedly died of a cardiac arrest on July 7.

According to Sunil Kumar, Nidhin’s employer and a relative, the mix-up happened due to a human error while identifying the body.

"Our company’s PRO and a few colleagues wrongly identified Krishnan as Nidhin. I think the error occurred because the face was swollen and also there were no close relatives to accompany us to the mortuary," said Kumar.According to him, Krishnan’s body was sent to Kerala on the Calicut-bound Air India flight on Friday.

"A distant relative was also accompanying the body and at that time, we had no clue the mix-up had happened. All the papers were in the name of Nidhin. The flight landed around 5.15am and they were on their way to the deceased’s house. We received a call from the hospital, alerting us about the mix-up around 8.30am - the same time when Krishnan’s relatives opened the coffin in Abu Dhabi for body identification. The vehicle was immediately diverted to a hospital in Bathery in Wayanad, and Nidhin’s relatives were informed," said Kumar.

A friend and representative of Krishnan’s employer said relatives of the deceased were shocked when they saw another man in the coffin. "Krishnan’s body was supposed to be sent on an Etihad flight to Chennai on Friday afternoon, and relatives were at the morgue around 8.30am for identification."

Clearing the mix-up

It is a complex procedure to swap the bodies that were identified wrongly.

Indian embassy officials told Khaleej Times they have issued a fresh set of documents for repatriating Krishnan’s body, and a set of duplicate documents for Nidhin’s mortal remains.

"As per the records, Nidhin’s body has already been sent home. We are hoping to get immigration and airport clearance again so that the right body can be sent on Sunday," said Kumar.

In Krishnan’s case, the company representative said two people have already left for Kerala with relevant papers issued by the embassy for taking the body to Tamil Nadu, his native place.

"They will identify his body in the presence of police officials. His family members are already in Wayanad. Once they get local clearance, they can transport the body from Kerala to Tamil Nadu."

Officials working round the clock

Family members from both sides said Indian embassy staff, UAE officials of various departments and social workers are working around the clock to help sort out the paper work to release Nidhin’s body.

"I have never seen such cooperation and support from officials. Everybody is doing their best. Indian embassy officials were available even at 4am to prepare the necessary documents. Air India is cooperating by making tickets available even if flights are fully booked. Social worker Nasser is with us 24 hours offering assistance," Sunil Kumar said

Mix-up in body repatriation ’unprecedented’

Repatriation of bodies of expatriates to their home countries is a stringent procedure. However, officials and social workers are well-experienced in assisting in the process.

But the error that has compounded the miseries of two families has come as a shock to many.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, social workers said a mix-up of bodies is "unprecedented" in the history of repatriation. "I have helped in the repatriation of more than 500 bodies from the UAE. I have never heard anything like this," said Nasser Kanhangad, who is currently helping coordinate the efforts. "Over the years, most of the procedures have been simplified and government departments are open for emergency services even on weekends and public holidays."