In August 1990, British Airways passengers and crew found themselves in a harrowing situation when their flight, BA149, landed at Kuwait International Airport amidst an Iraqi invasion. More than 300 people on board were detained by Iraqi troops, leading to a nightmare that lasted almost five months. The passengers and crew were subjected to unimaginable horrors, including rape, starvation, torture, mock executions, and being used as human shields by Saddam Hussein.
Now, over 30 years later, the survivors of this ordeal are seeking justice. Law firm McCue Jury and Partners is representing 95 claimants who are seeking compensation for the physical and psychological harm they endured during their captivity. These individuals were not just victims of circumstance; they were treated as disposable collateral by both the UK Government and British Airways.
The survivors allege that both the Government and British Airways were aware of the invasion before the flight landed but failed to take any action to divert the plane to safety. Documents released in 2021 revealed that the British ambassador in Kuwait had informed the Foreign Office of the invasion an hour before the flight landed, yet this crucial information was not passed on to the airline. This negligence on the part of the authorities put the lives and safety of innocent civilians at risk.
One of the passengers seeking justice is Barry Manners, who vividly remembers the trauma of being treated as an expendable pawn for commercial and political gain. He, along with the other survivors, is determined to hold the UK Government and British Airways accountable for their actions – or lack thereof – during this dark chapter in history.
Matthew Jury, managing partner of McCue Jury and Partners, emphasizes the importance of seeking closure and accountability for the victims of Flight BA149. He condemns the concealment and denial of the truth by both the Government and the airline, stating that it is time to erase this shameful stain on the UK’s conscience.
The survivors of Flight BA149 are not seeking revenge; they are seeking justice. They want to ensure that the truth is acknowledged, and those responsible are held accountable for their actions. The UK Government and British Airways have been approached for comment, and it remains to be seen how they will respond to the demands for justice from those who suffered so greatly at their hands.