File photo used for representation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Kerala-based family, which was to receive the mortal remains of one of its relatives after his untimely death in the UAE capital, was handed over the wrong body after a mix-up during the repatriation process.

Nidhin O K, 29, a native of Ambalavayal in Wayanad, was killed in an accident in Abu Dhabi 10 days ago. He was working with a private firm. On Friday, his family who were waiting at Kozhikode airport to collect the body, received the body of a Ramanathpuram native, Kamatchi Krishnan, 39, who also died in the UAE around the same time.

Abu Dhabi hospital sources informed Nidhin’s family about the mix-up while they were about to take it to a private hospital in Ambalavayal. They said Nithin’s body was still with them and that the Tamil Nadu native’s body was mistakenly sent to Kerala .

After learning about the matter, Nithin’s relatives contacted the chief minister’s office, which intervened and contacted Kamatchi’s relatives, Norka-Roots officials, the Indian Embassy and top police officers of both states. Norka Roots has volunteered to take the Tamil Nadu native’s body to his hometown, while the procedures for sending Nithin’s body home are being completed.

