Imagine planning a dream vacation to a tropical paradise, only to return home with a life-threatening illness. This is the chilling reality for several British families who lost loved ones after holidaying in Cape Verde. Four Britons have tragically died within months of each other, all linked to severe stomach bugs contracted during their stays on the West African islands. But here's where it gets even more alarming: these cases are part of a larger pattern, with six deaths and over 1,500 illnesses reported since January 2023. Could this be more than just a series of unfortunate events? Let’s delve into the details.
Mark Ashley, 55, from Bedfordshire, was one of the victims. Just three days into his October holiday with his wife Emma, he fell gravely ill with symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and extreme lethargy. Despite reporting his condition to their travel provider, Tui, via their app on 9 October, Mark’s health deteriorated. After returning home, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital on 12 November, only to be pronounced dead shortly after. His death has since been referred to the coroner, leaving his family in 'complete shock.'
Another heartbreaking case is that of Karen Pooley, a 64-year-old retired mother of two from Gloucestershire. Karen travelled with a friend to the Riu Funana resort on Sal in October 2025, booking a £3,000 holiday through Tui. Just four days into her trip, she fell ill with severe gastric symptoms, including diarrhoea. Tragically, she slipped on water leaking from a fridge while heading to the bathroom, fracturing her femur. Over the next four days, she endured relentless diarrhoea, vomiting, and excruciating pain. Despite being airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care, she passed away in the early hours of 17 October. Her husband, Andy, described her as being in 'significant distress' during their video calls and criticized the poor communication from the clinic and their holiday provider. 'We're utterly heartbroken,' he said, struggling to comprehend how a holiday could end in such tragedy.
Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old part-time nurse and mother from Birmingham, met a similar fate in August 2025 after falling ill at the Riu Cabo Verde resort on Sal. And a 56-year-old British man, whose details remain undisclosed, also died after contracting a severe gastric illness during his stay in Cape Verde.
These cases are not isolated. Jane Pressley, 62, from Lincolnshire, died in January 2023 after falling ill at the Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, Sal, the previous November. A man in his 60s from Watford passed away in November 2024 following a similar gastric illness post-holiday. Law firm Irwin Mitchell, representing the families, has confirmed that investigations into these deaths are 'ongoing.'
But here’s the controversial part: Irwin Mitchell is also representing over 1,500 other holidaymakers who fell ill after visiting Cape Verde, raising serious questions about hygiene standards at these resorts. Emma Ashley, Mark’s wife, has openly criticized the resort’s hygiene practices, while Andy Pooley highlighted the lack of communication during his wife’s ordeal. Are these resorts doing enough to protect their guests? Or is there a systemic issue that needs urgent addressing?
Jatinder Paul, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, described the situation as 'truly staggering.' 'I’ve never seen repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time,' he said. This raises a critical question: Are these incidents mere coincidences, or is there a deeper, more troubling issue at play?
Tui has been contacted for comment, but as of now, the travel giant remains silent. What do you think? Is this a case of negligence, or are these tragic outcomes simply unavoidable? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
