The Secret History of Flight 149

The Secret History of Flight 149

The Secret History of Flight 149 Imagine boarding a flight thinking you’re heading on holiday, but instead you get taken hostage by Saddam Hussein. It might sound far-fetched, but in August 1990 this is what happened to the passengers and crew of BA Flight 149. What followed has been dubbed the most shocking government cover-up of the last thirty years. Journalist Stephen Davis has been reporting on this extraordinary story for the past three decades. In this series you’ll hear directly from the hostages - the people used as human shields by the Iraqi regime, with horrific and traumatic consequences. But why was the plane allowed to land at all, putting so many lives at risk? Why have secrets and lies persisted for so many years? Join Stephen in his search to uncover the truth behind The Secret History of Flight 149. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and sound design: Rory Auskerry

Episodes

Coming Soon (Trailer)

January 25, 2022 • 3 mins
Coming soon - The Secret History of the Estonia. A tale of secrets, smugglers and spies and how 852 people died on a ferry.  From the team behind The Secret History of Flight 149, journalist Stephen Davis investigates the tragic sinking of the passenger ship The Estonia, uncovering a mysterious trail that leads back to the Cold War. Episodes released weekly from January 9th 2023, with the whole series available ad-free on the Crowd...
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Flight 149 | Ep 1 | Take-off

February 6, 2022 • 42 mins
Listen to the whole series ad-free now by subscribing to the Crowd Stories channel on Apple Podcasts. When Flight 149 departed London Heathrow on 1 August 1990, the passengers and crew had no idea of the trauma that lay ahead. A routine stopover in Kuwait turned into a hostage crisis. Hear from the hostages themselves as they recall the horrifying realisation that their holiday had taken a very dark turn. Journalist Stephen Davis d...
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Flight 149 | Ep 2 | Stranded

February 13, 2022 • 50 mins
The Flight 149 passengers and crew are now stranded in war-torn Kuwait. Tanks surround their hotel, and soldiers have set up camp in the basement. But could the hostages smuggle themselves to safety?  British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war just over 30 years ago, and who had to endure a truly horrendous experience. The records (released by the Governme...
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Flight 149 | Ep 3 | Abandoned

February 20, 2022 • 42 mins
The hostages are faced with the impossible decision of whether to follow the official advice and stay in a hotel occupied by the Iraqi army, or risk everything to make a run for it. The Captain calls a secret meeting of his crew, but has he left it too late to escape? This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence. British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking a...
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Flight 149 | Ep 4 | Human Shields

February 27, 2022 • 46 mins
The hostages have now become human shields – scattered at strategic locations across Iraq and Kuwait. They have been put in the line of fire and are living in constant fear of being bombed. When food supplies run dangerously short, they are forced to take drastic measures...  British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war just over 30 years ago, and who had to...
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Flight 149 | Ep 5 | Separated

March 6, 2022 • 38 mins
The US Embassy finds itself under siege. As the international pressure on Saddam Hussein intensifies, he makes a sudden announcement that creates a dilemma for many of the human shields. British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war just over 30 years ago, and who had to endure a truly horrendous experience. The records (released by the Government last year) ...
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Flight 149 | Ep 6 | Powerless

March 13, 2022 • 34 mins
What must it have felt like to be a child hostage? Stephen hears the remarkable tale of one of the youngest captives, and also asks how the Flight 149 family members left behind coped with the ordeal. British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war just over 30 years ago, and who had to endure a truly horrendous experience. The records (released by the Governme...
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Flight 149 | Ep 7 | On The Brink

March 20, 2022 • 32 mins
The West stands on the brink of war against Saddam Hussein’s regime, but the human shields are in the line of fire. British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war just over 30 years ago, and who had to endure a truly horrendous experience. The records (released by the Government last year) confirmed British Airways was not warned about the invasion." The Forei...
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Flight 149 | Ep 8 | The Aftermath

March 27, 2022 • 34 mins
The hostages may have made it home, but the psychological and emotional effects continue. Stephen begins his search for the truth. British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war just over 30 years ago, and who had to endure a truly horrendous experience. The records (released by the Government last year) confirmed British Airways was not warned about the invas...
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Flight 149 | Ep 9 | Revelations

April 4, 2022 • 37 mins
The investigation gains momentum as key individuals speak out about the events of August 1990. Stephen reveals just who was on Flight 149...is this why the plane landed? British Airways gave us the following statement: "Our hearts go out to all those caught up in this shocking act of war just over 30 years ago, and who had to endure a truly horrendous experience. The records (released by the Government last year) confirmed British...
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Flight 149 | Ep 10 | Impact

April 12, 2022 • 41 mins
Stephen reveals some new details that have come to light since we started making this series, and speaks with someone who was on the ground in Kuwait at the time of the invasion. We also hear from all the human shields we’ve been following, and learn about the personal impact of this horrific ordeal. Additional material across the series courtesy of Getty, Blakeway Productions, The Parliamentary Recording Unit and C-Span. British...
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Coming Soon: The Secret History of the Estonia

January 4, 2023 • 1 min
Coming soon - The Secret History of the Estonia. A tale of secrets, smugglers and spies and how 852 people died on a ferry.  From the team behind The Secret History of Flight 149, journalist Stephen Davis investigates the tragic sinking of the passenger ship The Estonia, uncovering a mysterious trail that leads back to the Cold War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Estonia | Ep 1 | Mayday

January 8, 2023 • 53 mins
Please note this podcast contains distressing content. In the first episode of The Secret History of the Estonia, investigative journalist Stephen Davis hears remarkable eyewitness accounts from four survivors of the tragedy.   The Estonia sets sail from Tallinn port on the 27th September 1994, heading across the Baltic Sea to Stockholm. It’s a routine crossing for the passengers and crew. But in the middle of the night the ferry s...
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Estonia | Ep 2 | Survival

January 15, 2023 • 43 mins
Survivors share harrowing eye witness accounts of the aftermath of the sinking in freezing conditions in a Baltic storm.  Please note this podcast contains distressing content. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Estonia | Ep 3 | Counting the cost

January 22, 2023 • 39 mins
In the days after the sinking, the scale of the tragedy becomes clearer. But why does mystery still surround the survivors list? What happened to the missing crew? Stephen speaks with family members of victims, still dealing with the effects of the disaster to this day. Please note this podcast contains distressing content. To listen to the entire series without adverts, subscribe to the Crowd Stories channel on Apple Podcasts. P...
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Estonia | Ep 4 | To salvage or not to salvage

January 29, 2023 • 44 mins
The authorities must decide how to deal with the disaster. Will they choose to salvage the ship and the victims? Stephen speaks with campaigners who have dedicated many years to uncovering the truth behind the sinking. Please note this podcast contains distressing content. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry Voiceover: Johan Lindquist Additional material courtesy of Discovery+, f...
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Estonia | Ep 5 | Secrets and spies

February 5, 2023 • 44 mins
Stephen reveals what led him to start investigating the Estonia mystery. The trail leads him back to the Cold War and to a backdrop of secrets and spies. Please note this podcast contains distressing content. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry Additional material courtesy of TV3, New Zealand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Estonia | Ep 6 | Shipwreck investigations

February 12, 2023 • 39 mins
In this episode Stephen delves into the high stakes world of shipwreck investigations. We meet two key players in the history of the Estonia inquiries, and hear about the flaws in previous investigations. Please note this podcast contains distressing content. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry Additional material courtesy of Getty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
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Estonia | Ep 7 | A new discovery

February 19, 2023 • 53 mins
In 2020 some shocking new evidence came to light that changed the entire course of the Estonia investigation. Stephen meets the journalists behind this important discovery, and reveals what happened as a result. Please note this podcast contains distressing content. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry Additional material courtesy of Discovery+ from ‘Estonia: The Discovery That Ch...
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Estonia | Ep 8 | Fallout

February 26, 2023 • 50 mins
Stephen draws together everything he’s learned during his investigation and examines the key theories behind what happened to the Estonia. Survivors and family members of victims reveal the ongoing human impact of the tragedy. Please note this podcast contains distressing content. Presenter: Stephen Davis Producer: Samantha Psyk Mixing and Sound Design: Rory Auskerry Studio recording: Luis Rodriguez at Sonic Space Lab Music Resear...
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