TUI Faces Mass Lawsuit as Gastric Illness Outbreak Kills Four in Cape Verde

A major legal battle has been launched against tour operator TUI after a gastric illness outbreak in Cape Verde left four British tourists dead and hundreds more severely ill. Law firm Irwin Mitchell has confirmed to multiple media outlets it is representing over 1,000 holidaymakers in what is becoming one of the largest group actions of its kind, following a series of 'holidays from hell' at five-star RIU resorts in late 2025.

Lawyers for the victims argue that these were not isolated incidents but the result of systemic hygiene failures that exposed guests to dangerous pathogens such as shigella and salmonella. The legal team contends that despite repeated complaints about under-cooked food and unsanitary conditions, the tour operator failed to take adequate measures to safeguard holidaymakers.

Tragic Loss of Life

The lawsuit centres on the deaths of four British nationals who passed away between August and November 2025. Among the victims was Mark Ashley, 55, a forklift driver from Bedfordshire. Mr. Ashley fell violently ill during a stay at the RIU Palace Santa Maria in October. Despite returning to the UK, his condition deteriorated, and he collapsed and died at home on 12 November.

Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire, also died after a stay at the RIU Funana. Having contracted a severe gastric bug, she reportedly slipped on water leaking from a fridge while weak from illness, fracturing her leg. She died in hospital days later, with her death certificate citing sepsis and multi-organ failure.

The other recent victims include Elena Walsh, 64, and a 56-year-old man, both of whom succumbed to complications following similar gastric symptoms.

A Pattern of Negligence

The claimants allege catastrophic hygiene failures across several hotels, including the RIU Palace Santa Maria, RIU Cabo Verde and RIU Funana. Legal documents filed in the High Court detail harrowing accounts of guests being served raw meat, lukewarm buffet food and dishes swarming with flies, birds and ants.

Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, described the scale of the outbreak as 'staggering.' He stated, 'To have four compatriots die in such a short space of time is unprecedented in our experience of holiday illness claims. The evidence points to systemic failures in hygiene management that have had fatal consequences.'

Tests have confirmed cases of shigella, salmonella, and E. coli among the returning tourists. Shigella, a highly contagious bacterial infection often spread through contaminated food or water, can be fatal if not treated aggressively, particularly in older adults or those with underlying health conditions.

Survivors' Stories

Beyond the fatalities, hundreds of other holidaymakers report life-changing injuries. Some survivors have developed reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and kidney issues that may require long-term care.

One claimant, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scenes at the local clinics in Cape Verde as 'chaotic,' resembling a 'war zone' with tourists on drips lining the corridors. Many allege that TUI representatives on the ground were unresponsive to complaints about the food quality and cleanliness, leaving guests to fend for themselves as the sickness spread through the resorts.

Legal Battle Intensifies

TUI has acknowledged the situation but has not yet admitted liability. In a brief statement, a spokesperson said, 'Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased. As this is now a legal matter, we cannot comment further.'

However, lawyers argue that the tour operator failed in its duty of care to ensure the safety of its customers. The class action seeks substantial damages for the bereaved families and compensation for the hundreds of tourists whose dream holidays turned into nightmares.