More than 1,700 Brits who fell ill in Cape Verde join action against Tui
More than 1,700 Brits who fell ill in Cape Verde join action against Tui
Over 1,700 British holidaymakers have filed legal claims against Tui following illnesses contracted during trips to the Cape Verde islands, according to lawyers. The firm, Irwin Mitchell, is handling the personal injury cases, having received reports from individuals affected as recently as two weeks ago.
Legal representatives claim at least eight Britons have died after holidays in Cape Verde in recent years. In February, UK health officials issued a warning about the risk of gastrointestinal infections, citing concerns over stomach bugs in the region. Tui has not yet released a formal statement, stating it lacks access to the complete health report from Cape Verde, which remains unpublished.
“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,” said Jatinder Paul from Irwin Mitchell. “We are pursuing all of our cases against Tui. They had a responsibility in taking our clients away on a package holiday which was not going to cause them any illness. Unfortunately it was the opposite of that.”
Cape Verde, a former Portuguese colony, is a favored destination for its sunny beaches and consistent climate. Since 2022, Tui has arranged over a million trips to the islands. Lawyers are compiling evidence of health issues at certain hotels, including footage of undercooked meals, flies near buffets, and mold in accommodations.
Irwin Mitchell’s clients have reported infections such as E coli, salmonella, and shigella, along with parasitic conditions like cryptosporidium. Cases involve infants as young as six months. The UK Health Security Agency noted 112 shigella and 43 salmonella cases linked to Cape Verde travel since October 2025. These illnesses can lead to severe symptoms, including diarrhea, cramps, and fever.
“If we’re unable to resolve them amicably, we expect a judge in the High Court to make an order involving millions in damages,” Paul added. “No family should go through this, no family should have to FaceTime their mum on a Friday night, and by the following Friday, organise a funeral,” said Liz Pooley, Karen’s daughter, who blamed Tui for her mother’s death.
Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old from Birmingham, succumbed to her illness on 10 August after feeling unwell on 8 August during a Tui holiday at RIU Cabo Verde. Her son, Sean Walsh, described her rapid decline: “Through the night, we were there with her trying to see if she’d pull out of it, but she just deteriorated.”
Karen Pooley, 64, from Lydney, died on 12 October after a two-week Tui trip to Cape Verde. She suffered gastric symptoms and slipped on water from a fridge, fracturing her leg. She was airlifted to Tenerife and later died from sepsis and organ failure. Pooley’s family accuses Tui of failing to ensure proper care, despite the company’s claim to support sick customers with appropriate assistance.
The ongoing legal battle highlights growing concerns about health risks in Cape Verde. While Tui maintains its resorts adhere to strict hygiene standards, the number of claims continues to rise, underscoring the impact on travelers and their families.
