4 British tourists die after Cape Verde vacations; Families sue TUI
Four British tourists have died after falling seriously ill during or shortly after vacations in Cape Verde, while a small number of Dutch travelers who booked with TUI also reported sickness, the company confirmed. Families of the British victims have launched legal action against TUI, the travel operator that organized the trips.
The deceased Britons are Mark Ashley, 55; Elena Walsh, 64; Karen Pooley, 64; and a 56-year-old man whose identity has not been disclosed, AD reports. All four developed severe symptoms linked to the Shigella bacteria, including fever, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea. Shigellosis, caused by Shigella bacteria, is highly contagious and transmitted via fecal matter, through direct contact or indirectly via contaminated food, water, or surfaces such as toilets.
With these deaths, the total number of British fatalities associated with Cape Verde trips since 2023 rises to six. Earlier victims include Jane Pressley, 62, who died in January 2023, and a man in his 60s who died in November 2024.
Law firm Irwin Mitchell confirmed to the BBC that it is representing the six families in a legal case against TUI, as well as approximately 1,500 other travelers who fell ill after visiting Cape Verde.
Dutch cases, confirmed by TUI, involve at least eight travelers who contracted the bacterium during September and October stays at resorts on Sal and Boa Vista islands.
TUI spokesperson Petra Kok said, “This case is very specific to the UK market. In the Netherlands, it occurs occasionally, but certainly not to this extent.” TUI added that after learning of the Dutch cases from the RIVM in December, the company immediately informed affected travelers.
Martijn Peters, a scientific expert, explained, “People with shigellosis may need to use the toilet twenty to thirty times a day. Complications can include dehydration and severe intestinal issues. In rare cases, the infection can lead to sepsis, or blood poisoning.” Peters emphasized that prevention relies on strict hygiene, including handwashing after using the toilet or touching surfaces, and consuming only properly prepared food.
Families of the deceased have expressed profound shock. Emma Ashley, Mark Ashley's wife, said, “We went on vacation to relax, but my husband became ill and never recovered.” Ashley fell ill on the third day of the family’s stay on Sal in October, suffering severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and extreme fatigue. Emma reported her concerns about resort hygiene through TUI’s app on October 9. Upon returning to the U.K., Ashley’s condition worsened, leading to hospitalization and death on November 12.
Elena Walsh also fell ill on Sal, while Karen Pooley, who stayed at the Riu Funana resort for two weeks with a friend, became seriously sick on her fifth day. She was later transferred to a hospital in Tenerife, where she died the morning after arrival. Her husband, Andy Pooley, said, “We waited desperately for news while her condition only worsened. We are devastated and left wondering how she could leave on vacation and never return.”
An attorney representing the families described the situation as “extremely concerning,” noting, “The number of travelers returning from Cape Verde with severe gastrointestinal complaints is alarming. Rarely have I seen an outbreak of this scale persist in the same resorts for so long without decisive action. Each case is a personal tragedy. Travel companies must urgently take responsibility for the safety of customers booking all-inclusive vacations.”
TUI stated it is investigating all reports carefully and noted that since 2022, it has sent over one million travelers to Cape Verde, providing support to those who fell ill. The Riu hotel chain said it is “deeply affected” by the reports. However, The Times reported that the resorts continue to operate and that guests are not actively warned about the risk.
