Four British Tourists Die After Contracting Severe Gastric Illness in Cape Verde
Four British tourists have tragically died within a four-month period after contracting severe gastric illnesses while on holiday in the Cape Verde islands off the coast of West Africa. The deaths, which occurred last year, are part of a total of six British fatalities linked to holidays in the destination since 2023, according to legal representatives from Irwin Mitchell who are acting for the families.
Horror Symptoms and Fatal Outcomes
The victims experienced a series of debilitating symptoms that included severe stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and extreme lethargy. These symptoms proved unrelenting and ultimately led to their deaths, leaving families devastated and searching for answers.
The deceased have been identified as Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham; Mark Ashley, 55, from Bedfordshire; Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire; and a 56-year-old man whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. Two additional British tourists—Jane Pressley, 62, from Gainsborough, and a man in his 60s from Watford—died in 2023 and 2024 respectively after falling ill during their stays in Cape Verde.
Families' Heartbreaking Accounts
Emma Ashley, the 55-year-old wife of Mark Ashley, described how her husband became "violently ill" just three days into their holiday in October 2025 and never recovered. The self-employed forklift truck driver, who had diabetes controlled through medication, continued to suffer symptoms after returning to the UK. He collapsed at his home in Houghton Regis and was pronounced dead minutes after being taken to hospital on November 12.
"We went to Cape Verde expecting a relaxing break, but Mark became violently ill and never recovered," said Mrs Ashley. "The family has been left in complete shock."
Karen Pooley's husband Andy, 62, expressed similar devastation after his wife died following a holiday at the Riu Funana resort in Sal. The retired mother-of-two fell ill with gastric symptoms on October 11, 2025, and later slipped on water leaking from a fridge, fracturing her femur. She was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care but died on October 17.
"We're utterly heartbroken," said Mr Pooley. "Karen was the kindest, loveliest person. She was a devoted wife and mum who loved swimming, walking the dog in the Forest of Dean, and volunteered at a local charity shop. We're devastated and struggling to understand how she went on holiday and never came home."
Concerns Over Resort Hygiene Standards
Families have raised serious concerns about hygiene standards at several Cape Verde resorts, including the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria in Sal where the Ashleys stayed, and the Riu Cabo Verde resort where Elena Walsh fell ill before her death in August 2025. Many of the affected holidays were booked through tour operator Tui, with packages costing over £3,000.
Irwin Mitchell, which is representing the families of all six deceased tourists plus more than 1,500 people who have fallen ill after visits to Cape Verde, has highlighted what it describes as "repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time."
Legal Action and Calls for Investigation
Jatinder Paul, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, stated: "The number of holidaymakers to Cape Verde being struck down with serious and debilitating gastric illnesses is truly staggering. Nothing brings the gravity of this situation into sharper focus than these recent deaths."
He added: "In my experience I'm used to supporting holidaymakers who have fallen ill at resorts across the globe, but I've never seen repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time. It's almost incomprehensible that holidaymakers continue to describe the hygiene issues at these Cape Verde hotels year-after-year."
Families are now making personal injury claims for damages against Tui, arguing that tour operators have a responsibility to ensure the safety of those who book all-inclusive package holidays. Investigations into the deaths are ongoing, with some cases referred to coroners for further examination.
Ms Pooley's initial death certificate, issued by Cape Verde authorities, listed multi-organ failure, sepsis, cardio-respiratory arrest, and a broken left leg as causes of death. The legal firm has called for "meaningful and decisive action" to address reported hygiene issues on the islands.
