In a legal development stemming from a harrowing chapter of history, passengers and crew of a British Airways flight seized during the 1990 Kuwait hostage crisis have launched a significant legal action against both the UK government and the airline.

McCue Jury & Partners, a prominent law firm, disclosed on Monday that 94 individuals, out of the 367 held captive, have filed a civil claim at London’s High Court. Their grievance accuses the British government and British Airways of recklessly endangering civilians by allowing the flight to land in Kuwait despite knowledge of the ongoing invasion by Iraqi forces.

Hostages suffered severe physical & psychiatric harm

The ordeal endured by these passengers and crew, who were used as human shields during the first Gulf War, left profound physical and psychological scars that continue to affect their lives today.

The lawsuit alleges that both the government and the airline were aware of the invasion before the flight departed, yet proceeded with the landing to facilitate the covert insertion of a special operations team into occupied Kuwait.

Controversially, there are assertions, disputed by the government, that London deliberately put the passengers at risk by using the flight for undercover operations and delayed its departure to allow operatives to board.

Newly released British government documents from November 2021 revealed that warnings about the Iraqi incursion were received by UK officials in Kuwait, but this critical information was not relayed to British Airways.

Lawsuit seeks damages averaging £170,000 ($213,000)

In response to the legal action, the UK government has declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the case. British Airways, on the other hand, has steadfastly denied allegations of negligence, conspiracy, and cover-up concerning their actions during the crisis.

McCue Jury & Partners previously announced intentions to pursue damages on behalf of the hostages, estimating potential claims averaging £170,000 ($213,000) per individual.