More than 1,700 Brits who fell ill in Cape Verde join action against Tui

More than 1,700 Britons Affected by Cape Verde Illnesses Sue Tui

Over 1,700 British citizens have filed legal claims against Tui after falling ill during holidays in the Cape Verde archipelago, according to legal representatives. The cases include reports of severe illnesses linked to travel packages booked through the company, with some families alleging fatal outcomes. Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell, handling the personal injury lawsuits, indicated that people affected have come forward as recently as two weeks ago.

UK health authorities issued a warning in February about the risks of gastrointestinal infections in Cape Verde, following outbreaks of stomach bugs. The legal team claims at least eight Britons have died since the beginning of 2023, with additional cases still being investigated. Tui, which has transported over a million tourists to the islands since 2022, has not yet released a statement, citing lack of access to the full health report from the country.

Jatinder Paul, a solicitor with Irwin Mitchell, emphasized the scale of the cases during an interview with BBC Breakfast. “In my years of working on this, I’ve never seen such a large number of claims, and it’s heartbreaking that so many have lost their lives,” he stated. The firm is pursuing all cases, arguing that Tui had a duty to ensure holidays were free from illness. If settlements fail, the team anticipates a High Court ruling that could lead to millions in damages.

“If we can’t resolve this amicably, a judge will decide on compensation worth millions,” Paul added.

The illnesses reported include bacterial infections like E coli and salmonella, as well as parasitic conditions such as cryptosporidium. Victims range from infants to elderly individuals, with some cases involving young children as young as six months. An investigation by the UK Health Security Agency found 112 cases of shigella and 43 of salmonella linked to Cape Verde travel since October 2025.

Footage shared with the BBC reveals concerns about food safety, with items appearing undercooked and buffets exposed to flies. Rooms in some resorts are also reported to have mold, adding to the list of potential health hazards. Previously, the legal team estimated six deaths, but they now believe the toll has risen to eight.

Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old from Birmingham, died on August 10 after falling ill during a Tui-organized trip to the RIU Cabo Verde resort. Her son, Sean Walsh, described the rapid decline: “Through the night, we were there with her trying to see if she’d recover, but she just got worse.”

“People can go on holidays there and come back fine, but my mum didn’t,” Sean said. “If someone is willing to take that risk, go for it—but I’d tell others not to.”

Karen Pooley, a 64-year-old from Lydney, died on October 12 after a two-week holiday booked through Tui. She slipped on water from a fridge, breaking her leg, and later succumbed to sepsis and multi-organ failure. Her daughter, Liz Pooley, criticized Tui for the incident: “No family should go through this—no family should FaceTime their mum on a Friday night and then organize a funeral by the following.”

RIU Hotels and Resorts, which operates the Cape Verde resorts, stated that its facilities adhere to strict international health standards. “Our hotels in Cape Verde follow the strictest international health and hygiene protocols, verified by respected external consultancy firms,” the company said. Tui also mentioned providing support to unwell customers, ensuring access to care during their stay.