Major Legal Action Against TUI Over Cape Verde Resort Illness Outbreak
More than 1,700 British tourists have initiated legal proceedings against the holiday company TUI after contracting serious illnesses at a resort in Cape Verde. The law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is handling the case, has stated that eight British nationals have died following visits to the West African destination, which has experienced two significant outbreaks of the highly infectious bacterial infection shigella in recent years.
Tragic Losses and Personal Stories
Among the deceased is Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old part-time nurse and mother from Kings Heath, Birmingham. She passed away in August 2025 after falling severely ill while staying at the Riu Cabo Verde resort in Sal. Her family reports that she died just two days after showing symptoms. Another claimant, Alisha Hussain, 21, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, described vomiting blood and suffering seizures during her £900 per person holiday at the five-star Riu Karamboa resort. She lost consciousness and required hospital treatment after choking on her own vomit.
Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, commented on the scale of the case: "In all my years of doing this work, I have not seen a case this large and unfortunately so many that have died as a result of the illnesses." He added that if the cases cannot be resolved amicably, they expect a High Court judge to order TUI to pay millions of pounds in damages to the affected clients.
Allegations of Poor Hygiene and Medical Complications
Tourists have reported witnessing alarming hygiene conditions at the resorts, including chefs handling raw meat without gloves and flies and birds prevalent in restaurant areas. Video evidence submitted in the legal action allegedly shows buffets swarming with flies, raw food improperly stored, and mould discovered within accommodation units.
The illnesses reported span a range of gastric conditions, including:
- E. coli infections
- Salmonella poisoning
- Shigella bacterial infections
- Parasitic infections such as Cryptosporidium
These conditions can cause severe symptoms including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, and vomiting. Among the claimants is a six-month-old infant who developed gastric illness, highlighting the vulnerability of all age groups affected.
Additional Fatalities and Health Impacts
The legal action also includes relatives of two men who died after experiencing gastric illness while staying at the resort in 2024 and 2025. Karen Pooley, 64, Mark Ashley, 55, and David Smith, 54, whose identity has been changed for privacy, died from various medical complications including gastroenteritis, broken bones, and heart failure sustained during their holidays. All three had been staying at Riu hotels when they first became unwell.
Mark Watts, 55, and his wife Tracy, 56, have instructed lawyers to investigate after their wedding anniversary break in July turned into a medical emergency. Tracy, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, experienced erratic blood sugar levels, diarrhoea, vomiting, shivering, and breathlessness that required emergency medical care. She received treatment with IV and oral antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, and fluids, but believes she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics administered.
Official Responses from TUI and RIU Hotels
A TUI spokesperson expressed sympathy while maintaining their safety protocols: "We are deeply saddened by the reports of these tragic losses and extend our sincere condolences to the families affected. While we cannot comment on individual cases, customer health and safety is always our highest priority." The company emphasized that they have established procedures to support customers who become unwell while on holiday, including access to appropriate medical care and assistance in resort.
The spokesperson added: "To provide that support, it is important that illness is reported to our teams while customers are in destination. Where this does not happen, it limits the assistance we are able to offer at the time." TUI stated they continue to follow Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice and engage with hotel partners and relevant authorities where appropriate.
RIU Hotels and Resorts, the Spanish hospitality chain operating six properties in Cape Verde, responded to the allegations: "Our hotels in Cape Verde follow the strictest international health and hygiene standards, certified by external prestigious consultancy firms, specialised in health and safety." The company maintained that the health and safety of guests remains their main priority.
The legal proceedings represent one of the largest collective actions against a holiday company in recent years, with potentially significant financial implications for TUI depending on the outcome of the case. The matter continues to develop as more claimants come forward and evidence is gathered for what promises to be a lengthy legal battle.
