By Editorial,
A father has started legal action against UK oil giant BP over the death of his 21-year-old son.
Hussein Julood alleges the burning off of gas at a BP-run oil field in Iraq – a practice known as flaring – caused his son Ali’s leukaemia.
A BBC investigation in 2022 found Ali’s village, which lies within the field, had high levels of cancer-causing pollutants known to come from flaring.
The case is believed to be the first time an individual has started legal action against a major oil firm over its flaring practices.
Mr. Julood is seeking compensation for the cost of his son’s medical treatment – including overseas chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants – loss of earnings, funeral costs, as well as the “moral loss” of his son. END