A British infant has tragically died, and two other children have been left with severe health complications after falling ill during stays at a five-star resort in Egypt. One-year-old Ariella Mann contracted E. coli following her return from a family holiday, which subsequently developed into Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), a rare kidney condition that ultimately led to her death.
The Tragedy of Ariella Mann
Ariella, from the UK, traveled to Egypt with her mother Jade Oakes, 36, father Lee Mann, 37, and six-year-old sister Summer on December 21 last year. The all-inclusive two-week package holiday, costing £6,000, turned into a nightmare when Ariella fell ill during the second week, experiencing fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Despite multiple visits to the hotel’s medical clinic, her condition deteriorated, forcing the family to fly home early on January 5.
On January 7, Ariella was transferred to a specialist children’s hospital and placed into an induced coma. HUS, which primarily affects young children, claimed her life three days later. Her mother, Jade, expressed the family’s anguish, stating: “We felt completely helpless watching Ariella suffer. I can’t begin to describe the pain of losing a child. Ariella was a special, inquisitive, and loving little girl, and the best daughter and little sister anyone could have wished for. We will miss her with all our hearts. This has been a horrific time for our whole family, and we know we will never be the same again. We deserve answers about what happened to our daughter.”
Other Affected Children
Two-year-old Chloe Crook from Kent and six-year-old Arthur Broughton from Derbyshire also contracted HUS after staying at the Jaz Makadi Aquaviva resort in Hurghada between July 2024 and January 2026. Both survived but continue to recover from the illness. All three families booked their holidays through TUI UK Limited, which has stated it is investigating the cases.
Chloe Crook’s Ordeal
Chloe developed severe gastric symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and fatigue, while on holiday. On July 6, 2024, she was taken to a hospital in Egypt after her condition worsened, temporarily losing her sight and ability to speak. She also suffered seizures. Tests revealed her kidneys were failing, and she underwent emergency dialysis. Diagnosed with HUS caused by E. coli, Chloe was airlifted to a London hospital and placed in a coma for four days, during which she developed pneumonia and a blood clot in her neck and arm. She was discharged on July 31 but still requires regular follow-up appointments with the hospital’s nephrology team. The hotel and TUI supported the family during the ordeal and offered a full refund, which they declined.
Arthur Broughton’s Struggle
Arthur fell ill on a £2,400 family holiday last August at the same resort. Days after arrival, he experienced diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Upon returning to the UK, he began coughing up blood and was hospitalized. Doctors confirmed E. coli infection leading to HUS, and he was placed on a ventilator in intensive care. After three weeks, Arthur was discharged but continues to suffer from kidney issues, requiring daily medication. The illness has also affected his brain, forcing him to relearn walking and causing slurred speech. His mother, Sharon Turner, recounted: “I’ll never forget Arthur asking me if he was going to die and the image of seeing him lying in a hospital bed with tubes helping him breathe will stay with me forever. It’s every mum’s worst nightmare. He’s still recovering, and the most frightening part is knowing these complications could stay with him for the rest of his life.” TUI said it was not informed of Arthur’s illness during or after the holiday.
Legal and Corporate Responses
Jatinder Paul, the lawyer representing the three families, stated: “The fact these incidents have occurred at the same Egyptian hotel is a major cause for concern. While nothing can undo the ordeal these families have suffered, our focus is now on helping to provide them with the answers they deserve and either the specialist support they require to come to terms with their loss or the specialist rehabilitation two of these children now need.”
TUI issued a statement expressing deep sadness over Ariella’s death and sympathy for all affected families. The company said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ariella, and our thoughts remain with her parents and family at this incredibly difficult time. This is a devastating loss, and we recognise the profound impact this tragedy has had on them. We are also very sorry to hear about the serious illnesses experienced by Arthur and Chloe, and the effect this has had on them and their families. We appreciate how frightening such experiences can be. Reports of illness, particularly involving children, are taken extremely seriously. As soon as we were advised of the illness by Ariella’s family on their return home, we took immediate action by instructing an independent health and safety investigation. We continue to monitor any reports of illness in line with our routine process alongside the hotel, local authorities and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and full cooperation is being given to all relevant investigations. It would not be appropriate to speculate on cause while these processes are ongoing. Customers with health concerns during or following their holiday are encouraged to seek medical advice and to contact our customer support team so that assistance can be offered.”
