A photo showing an IndiGo cargo with a coffin marked by an elephant sticker and labeled “Extreme Heavy” has sparked a heated debate online. The image, shared widely on social media, shows a coffin being transported with the sticker — a standard aviation weight label — but many users found it insensitive in this context.
The photo was first posted on X (formerly Twitter) by a user named Hirav, who wrote, “Might sound silly but @IndiGo6E, for Human Remain cargo shipment, you might want to change the ‘Extreme Heavy’ sticker with an elephant on it. Just for the respect of the one who has departed.” The user added that the image was originally shared by an agency involved in human remains transport.
According to reports, the shipment was being flown from Delhi to Patna and included all necessary documentation and a passport.
As the image went viral, social media users were divided. Some criticized the airline, calling it a “breach of privacy for the departed and their family,” while others defended IndiGo, noting that such labels are part of standard practice.
One user explained, “The elephant icon is a universal symbol indicating heavy weight, ensuring handlers move it carefully. There’s nothing disrespectful about it.” Another added, “These labels are standard in aviation. Not everyone handling cargo reads English, so icons help communicate clearly.”
While IndiGo has not yet issued an official statement on the viral photo, the incident has reignited discussions about sensitivity and standard practices in handling human remains during air transport.
