Four Britons die within four months after holidaying in Cape Verde. – UK News
Four Britons have died within four months.
after contracting stomach bugs while on holiday in Cape Verde, lawyers representing their families say.
Elena Walsh from Birmingham, Mark Ashley from Bedfordshire, Karen Pooley from Gloucestershire, and a 56-year-old man died after suffering severe gastric ailments while staying on an island nation off the coast of West Africa last year.
Law firm Irwin Mitchell is investigating their deaths, as well as the deaths of two other Britons who died while on holiday there from January 2023.
It says it is representing more than 1,500 people who have fallen ill after visiting Cape Verde.
Ms Walsh, 64, died in August last year after falling ill while staying at a resort on the island of Sal.
Mr. Ashley, who had diabetes but controlled it through medication, fell ill three days after his holiday in October of last year, with symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and extreme lethargy.
His widow, Emma, told PA that her family were “completely shocked” by his death.
“We went to Cape Verde hoping for a break, but Mark became terribly ill and never recovered,” he said.
Ms Ashley says she booked her trip with Tui, which cost more than £3,000.
Mark Ashley (back left) with his family. Photo: PA
She first reported her husband’s illness on 9 October, but his symptoms continued for some time after their return to the UK.
On November 12, Mr Ashley collapsed at his home in Houghton Regis and was pronounced dead in hospital a few minutes later.
In October last year, Ms Polley, 64, booked a two-week holiday through Tui at a cost exceeding £3,000.
Four days into the journey, she fell ill with gastric symptoms and slipped on water leaking from the fridge while going to the bathroom early the next morning.
Her lawyers say she was taken to Tenerife for urgent care on 16 October and died the next day.
Karen Polly. Photo: PA
Her husband Andy told the Press Association that his wife appeared to be in “quite distress” when her family video-called him from home and claimed communication from both the clinic and the leisure provider was poor.
“We were desperate for an update as Karen’s condition worsened,” he said.
“We are devastated and struggle to understand how she went on holiday and never came home.”
Read more from Sky News:
The sister of the Briton says that she was trying to save her friend when both of them died in Portugal.
The tourists, having contracted the disease, left after receiving a drip.
Irwin Mitchell says Ms Polly’s preliminary death certificate from Cape Verde authorities shows that she died of multiple organ failure, sepsis, cardio-respiratory arrest and a broken left leg.
The two other Britons who have died while holidaying in Cape Verde since 2023 are Jane Pressley, who died aged 62 in January 2023 after falling ill during her holiday the previous November, and a man aged 60 who died in November 2024 after suffering from gastric illness after a visit to the island country.
personal injury claim
All six of the victims’ families are filing personal injury claims against Tui for damages.
Irwin Mitchell serious injury lawyer Jatinder Paul says, “The number of people coming to Cape Verde on holiday suffering serious and debilitating gastric illnesses is truly staggering. Nothing brings the seriousness of this condition more into focus than these recent deaths.”
“In my experience, I am accustomed to supporting vacationers who fall ill at resorts around the world, but I have never seen repeated and persistent disease outbreaks on such a large scale over such a period of time at the same resorts.”
He added, “Clearly, those we represent have serious concerns about sanitary standards in Cape Verde. While what happened cannot be compensated for, we are committed to at least helping to establish the answers they deserve.”
The law firm has called on tour operators to work with local authorities to ensure that the highest hygiene and safety standards are always maintained.
Tui is investigating the claims
A Tui spokesperson says it is thoroughly investigating the claims being made and ensuring any customers who fall ill during the holidays receive appropriate care and support.
Vacation providers say sometimes people who fall ill don’t report illness or seek help during their stay, limiting the care they can provide.
