KUALA LUMPUR: At least 43 families have not reached any settlement from defendants Malaysia Airline System (MAS) and Malaysia Airline Bhd (MAB) to settle damages claims over the MH17 tragedy.
In a statement, Messrs. Thomas Philip, who is representing the next-of-kin of three passengers and seven crew who were aboard the ill-fated flight, said their clients had not receive any settlements from the defendants.
"With regards to the recently published reports concerning a purported settlement between Malaysia Airlines and the victims on board flight MH17, Messrs Thomas Philip would like to clarify that their clients have not reached any form of settlement with the defendants, Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) and Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB)."
It said the firm had filed several suits in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, the latest of which was filed on Monday, against MAS and MAB for negligence and breach of contract.
It also added that the firm was working with an Australian legal firm, LHD Lawyers, who are representing 33 families of MH17 passengers in similar suits against the defendants.
"These suits have also not reached settlement with the defendants. The firm reiterates that no settlement has been agreed upon between its clients and the airline.
"The firm intends to continue to pursue every available avenue to ensure the families obtain the justice they rightly deserve."
It was reported that the defendants had settled the damages claims for most victims of MH17 on Sunday, according to Dutch national broadcaster NOS quoting Veeru Mewa, a lawyer representing Dutch victims.
MH17 was shot down on July 17, 2014 over territory held by pro-Russia separatists, killing all 298 passengers and crew. Most of the passengers were Dutch.
An international inquiry concluded in October last year that the plane was downed by a Russian-made BUK missile fired from a zone held by pro-Russian separatists.