More than 1,700 Brits who fell ill in Cape Verde join action against Tui
Legal Action Against Tui Expands as Over 1,700 Britons Fall Ill in Cape Verde
Legal representatives from Irwin Mitchell have confirmed that more than 1,700 individuals are now involved in a lawsuit against Tui, the travel company, following illnesses contracted during holidays in the Cape Verde archipelago. The solicitors noted that some of the affected people became unwell as recently as two weeks ago. Reports indicate that at least eight British nationals have died after trips to the islands in recent years.
UK Health Alerts and Tui’s Response
In February, UK health authorities issued a warning about potential risks for travelers heading to Cape Verde after identifying cases of stomach bugs. Tui, which has transported over a million tourists to the region since 2022, is currently examining the claims. The company stated it cannot comment further until it obtains the complete Cape Verde health report, which has not yet been released.
Illnesses Linked to Travel
Lawyers are citing cases of gastrointestinal infections such as shigella and salmonella, along with parasitic conditions like cryptosporidium, as part of their claims. These illnesses have affected children as young as six months, according to the legal team. The UK Health Security Agency’s investigation revealed 112 shigella cases and 43 salmonella infections linked to Cape Verde trips since October 2025.
“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, a solicitor with 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 renowned for its beaches and consistent warm climate. However, recent events have raised concerns about the health conditions in some hotels. Footage shared with the BBC showed undercooked food, fly-infested buffets, and mold in guest rooms. The legal team previously reported six deaths since January 2023 but has now updated the figure to eight.
Personal Stories of Loss
Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old from Birmingham, was among those who fell ill during a Tui holiday. She began feeling unwell on August 8 last year while staying at the RIU Cabo Verde resort and passed away on August 10. Her son, Sean Walsh, shared his mother’s rapid decline: “Through the night, we were there with her trying to see if she’d pull out of it, but she just deteriorated.” He urged others to “not go there” if they can avoid the risk.
Karen Pooley, 64, from Lydney, died in October after a two-week holiday booked through Tui. She developed gastric symptoms on October 11 and slipped on water from a fridge the next day, breaking her leg. She was flown to Tenerife on October 16 and succumbed to sepsis and multi-organ failure the following day. Her daughter, Liz Pooley, blamed Tui: “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.”
“If we’re unable to resolve them amicably, we expect a judge in the High Court to make an order which would involve payment of millions of pounds worth of damages to our clients,” Paul added. “Our hotels in Cape Verde follow the strictest international health and hygiene standards, certified by external prestigious consultancy firms, specialised in health and safety,” said RIU Hotels and Resorts. Tui also mentioned its commitment to supporting customers who fall ill, ensuring access to appropriate care and assistance.
