Mass Legal Action Against TUI Over Cape Verde Holiday Illnesses
Nearly two thousand British holidaymakers who contracted suspected stomach bugs during vacations have now joined a mounting legal action against travel giant TUI. Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing the claimants, has confirmed that more than 1,700 people have become part of its personal injury claim against the company following holidays to the Cape Verde Islands.
Eight British Deaths Now Linked to Suspected Infections
Irwin Mitchell lawyers have revealed they believe up to eight British citizens have died after contracting suspected viruses like Salmonella and various bacteria during holidays to the West African archipelago in recent years. The firm had previously estimated six fatalities but recently updated this figure to eight following further investigation.
Among those affected are people who believe they fell ill as recently as two weeks ago, indicating ongoing concerns about health standards at Cape Verde resorts. The law firm reported that its clients suffered from a mix of dangerous infections including E.coli, salmonella, shigella, and even parasitic infections such as cryptosporidium.
Family Blames TUI for Mother's Death
Liz Pooley, daughter of Karen Pooley who died from sepsis and multi-organ failure after being airlifted from a Cape Verde clinic on October 16, has directly blamed TUI for her mother's tragic death. Speaking to the BBC about her devastating experience, she said: "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."
The family of Karen Pooley, a 64-year-old woman who died following her holiday, have expressed fury with TUI over the circumstances surrounding her illness and subsequent death.
High Court Battle Could Result in Millions in Damages
Irwin Mitchell solicitor Jatinder Paul, speaking to BBC Breakfast, described the case as unprecedented in his many years of legal work. He stated: "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."
Mr. Paul warned that if the claims cannot be resolved amicably, the case could proceed to the High Court, potentially resulting in a judgment worth "millions of pounds" in damages to affected clients. He emphasized that TUI had a responsibility to provide package holidays that would not cause illness to their customers.
UK Health Investigation Uncovers Numerous Cases
An investigation conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in February uncovered 112 reported cases of shigella and 43 cases of Salmonella since October 2025 among travelers returning from Cape Verde. The infections cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and high fever.
Among Irwin Mitchell's clients affected by the outbreak were children, some as young as six months old when they fell ill during their family holidays. The law firm continues to receive new claimants as awareness of the situation grows.
TUI's Response and Ongoing Investigation
TUI has stated that it is investigating the claims brought forward by Irwin Mitchell, with a company spokesperson noting they are "not in a position to provide a statement at this stage." The spokesperson added that TUI does "not yet have access to the full Cape Verde health report, which remains unpublished."
Cape Verde, a former Portuguese colony known for its picturesque views and stunning beaches, has become the center of this major health and legal controversy affecting thousands of British tourists who booked package holidays through one of the UK's largest travel operators.
