More than 1,700 holidaymakers are taking legal action against Tui after falling ill at hotels in Cape Verde, lawyers have said.
High court proceedings have been launched to investigate several cases of illness between 2022 and 2025, including at least eight fatalities, said law firm Irwin Mitchell.
Lawyers allege that clients “as young as six months old” reported severe gastric illnesses, including salmonella and shigella, while abroad or after returning to the UK.
Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire, died after being airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care a few days into a Tui-operated holiday at the Riu Funana resort in Sal.
According to Cape Verde authorities, Karen died of multi-organ failure, sepsis and cardio-respiratory arrest, said Irwin Mitchell.
Mark Ashley, 55, similarly passed away on his return to the UK after a two-week stay at the Riu Palace Santa Maria resort.
The self-employed forklift truck driver developed “severe gastric symptoms” three days into his holiday before collapsing at home in November 2025.
His wife, Emma, said: “Hygiene standards at the hotel didn’t seem great to me. The food was often lukewarm and looked like it had been recycled from previous mealtimes, sanitisation seemed poor and the limited drinking water was stored in large crates left in the sun.”
Irwin Mitchell added that illnesses “may be linked to poor hygiene standards and food safety failings”.
In February, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) warned travellers to speak to a healthcare professional before travelling to Cape Verde if they have an underlying health condition due to “an increase in reports of shigella sonnei and salmonella infections.”
According to Irwin Mitchell, guests who fell ill stayed at hotels including five Riu Hotels properties, Melia Dunas, Suneo Dunas and Tui Blue Cabo Verde.
More than one million holidaymakers a year have visited Cape Verde with Tui since 2022, said the travel company.
Jatinder Paul, the lawyer supporting the holidaymakers, said: “Many of our clients for whom we’ve issued legal proceedings on behalf of continue to suffer from debilitating symptoms linked to their illness.
“While it’s too late for those we represent in terms of their holiday being ruined by such illness, we’re determined to provide them with the answers they deserve and, where appropriate, access to ongoing support and treatment they may require.”
He added: “It’s almost incomprehensible that holidaymakers continue to describe the hygiene issues at these Cape Verde hotels year after year. Each case isn’t a statistic; it’s a human story of how lives have been turned upside down.”
A Tui spokesperson said: “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 are always our highest priority. We have established procedures in place to support any customer who becomes unwell while on holiday, including access to appropriate medical care and assistance in resort.
“We continue to follow FCDO advice and engage with hotel partners and relevant authorities where appropriate.”
Riu Hotels said: “First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the families mentioned in your email for their profound losses. We are unable to provide any comments regarding the health or specific details of our guests' stays out of respect to data protection regulations.
“However, we wish to reiterate that Riu Hotels & Resorts operates under the highest standards of safety and hygiene; the wellbeing of the more than 400,000 guests we welcome every year to our hotels in Cape Verde remains our absolute priority.”
Read more: Should I be concerned about shigella in Cape Verde?
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