AI image LONDON: London morgue workers were exposed to deadly gases after opening the coffins of British victims of the AI171 crash, which were repatriated to the UK from India, a UK coroner has warned.A number of bodies of the 53 British victims of the June 12 plane crash, which killed 241 people, were repatriated to Westminster Public Mortuary. Their remains were wrapped and saturated in a “dangerously high” 40% concentration of formalin as a preservative and returned in lined coffins. On opening the coffins, it was apparent that there was a significant chemical hazard from the formalin to all users of the mortuary, Inner West London senior coroner Prof Fiona Wilcox revealed in a report sent to UK housing secretary Steve Reed and health secretary Wes Streeting.In addition to formalin, “carbon monoxide and cyanide were also detected in the mortuary at dangerous levels, following opening of the coffins and unwrapping of the bodies of the deceased persons who had been repatriated”, Wilcox wrote in a “Prevention of Future Deaths” report. It calls on ministers to take action to prevent future deaths among mortuary staff. They have 56 days to respond.Police trained in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents had to be called, and systems put in place to mitigate the risks, which included the use of environmental monitoring and breathing apparatus. The report said mortuary users appeared unaware of the dangers of high levels of formalin, which is commonly used to preserve human remains when repatriated from abroad, and UK mortuaries were ill-equipped to handle bodies “significantly contaminated with formalin”.“Formalin contains formaldehyde. It is carcinogenic and is known to cause myeloid leukaemia, ” Wilcox wrote.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Congress Destroyed Patel, Bose Legacies” BJP Lambasts Sonia Gandhi Over ‘Defaming Nehru’ Remark”World Saw What Happened To Terrorists…” Rajnath says Strong Borders Powered Op Sindoor successIndiGo Fiasco: Civil Aviation Minister Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Monopoly Model’ RemarkWATCH: Newly Built NH 66 Stretch Collapses In Kerala’s Kollam; School Bus, Other Vehicles Trapped‘Nothing Wrong In It’: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor On PM Modi Gifting Bhagavad Gita To Putin’I Regret That…’: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor On No Invite To Rahul, Kharge For Putin DinnerGoa: 23 Killed In Arpora Nightclub Fire; Cylinder Blast Suspected, CM Sawant Vows Strict Action’Maligning Hindu Way Of Life’: PM Modi Calls Out Colonial Mindset Over ‘Hindu Rate Of Growth’ LabelUP CM Yogi Slams Parties ‘Insulting Babasaheb’s Legacy’, Announces Security For Ambedkar Statues’Engaging Atmosphere Reigned’: Shashi Tharoor After State Dinner With Russian President Putin123Photostories‘Bigg Boss’: Top wild card contestants over the yearsPalash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana to Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom: Celebrity couples who got engaged, but never married7 eerie abandoned places around the world you can actually exploreSHE travels: 9 timeless cities that are a joy to explore alone as a womanBeetroot powder vs beetroot juice: Key differences and benefits explainedTHIS 1932 Indian film holds the world record with 72 songs, more than all modern musicals combined7 winter plants that can survive snow and extreme cold (Gardeners swear by them!)6 mistakes people commit while consuming chia seeds and the best way to consume them7 ‘innocent’ words kids say, that parents should correct immediately10 good morning wishes kids should be encouraged to use in family123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingGautam GambhirThe God Slayer Release DateRohit SharmaCandace OwensAryna Sabalenka Net WorthTim PoolAaron RodgersVirat KohliNarela Girl Sexually AssaultedBengaluru News
LONDON: London morgue workers were exposed to deadly gases after opening the coffins of British victims of the AI171 crash, which were repatriated to the UK from India, a UK coroner has warned.A number of bodies of the 53 British victims of the June 12 plane crash, which killed 241 people, were repatriated to Westminster Public Mortuary. Their remains were wrapped and saturated in a “dangerously high” 40% concentration of formalin as a preservative and returned in lined coffins. On opening the coffins, it was apparent that there was a significant chemical hazard from the formalin to all users of the mortuary, Inner West London senior coroner Prof Fiona Wilcox revealed in a report sent to UK housing secretary Steve Reed and health secretary Wes Streeting.In addition to formalin, “carbon monoxide and cyanide were also detected in the mortuary at dangerous levels, following opening of the coffins and unwrapping of the bodies of the deceased persons who had been repatriated”, Wilcox wrote in a “Prevention of Future Deaths” report. It calls on ministers to take action to prevent future deaths among mortuary staff. They have 56 days to respond.Police trained in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents had to be called, and systems put in place to mitigate the risks, which included the use of environmental monitoring and breathing apparatus. The report said mortuary users appeared unaware of the dangers of high levels of formalin, which is commonly used to preserve human remains when repatriated from abroad, and UK mortuaries were ill-equipped to handle bodies “significantly contaminated with formalin”.“Formalin contains formaldehyde. It is carcinogenic and is known to cause myeloid leukaemia, ” Wilcox wrote.
