Holidaymakers are launching a £5 million damages claim against travel giant TUI after contracting severe gastric illnesses at a luxury Cape Verde hotel. Approximately 300 individual claims have been filed following widespread sickness among British tourists who stayed at the Riu Palace Santa Maria Hotel in 2022.
Legal Action Reaches High Court
Lawyers representing the claimants have initiated proceedings at the High Court, citing multiple health hazards at the resort. The allegations include improperly prepared food and beverages, unhygienic swimming facilities, infestations of cockroaches, and the presence of stray dogs on the premises.
This group action represents the first of several claims managed by law firm Irwin Mitchell to reach court proceedings. The litigation follows a significant surge in gastric problems reported by visitors to Cape Verde, with lawyers indicating that more than 1,500 tourists have fallen ill after booking holidays to the destination.
Tragic Fatalities Among Claimants
Six British tourists have died after contracting severe gastric illnesses during their stays in Cape Verde. The deceased include Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham; Mark Ashley, 55, of Bedfordshire; Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire; and a 56-year-old man, all of whom passed away in 2025.
Jane Pressley, 62, from Gainsborough, died in January 2023 after falling ill while staying at the Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, Sal. Additionally, a man in his 60s from Watford died in November 2024 following gastric illness after a trip to Cape Verde. Their families are now pursuing personal injury claims against TUI, which operates package holidays to the popular African archipelago.
First Cases Reach Pre-Trial Hearing
While the claims encompass several Cape Verde hotels, those specifically involving the all-inclusive TUI-run Riu Palace Santa Maria Hotel were the first to reach court for a pre-trial hearing last week. Judge Master Mark Gidden has scheduled a six-week trial to commence at the end of next year to determine the outcome of the claims.
The lead claimant in the Riu Palace Santa Maria Hotel case is Nicky Morley from Paignton, Devon, who stayed at the resort in May 2022 and became ill just one day into her holiday. She suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, requiring hospital treatment in Cape Verde with intravenous fluids and medication. Morley has continued to experience gastric issues since her return, losing over four stone in weight.
Detailed Allegations of Unsanitary Conditions
According to court documents, the 300 tourists involved are seeking damages exceeding £5 million, all having fallen ill during or after stays at the hotel throughout 2022. Infections reportedly increased through the summer months, peaking in October when 110 people simultaneously became ill with gastric problems.
The claimants allege that their rooms were "unsanitary, infested with pests such as cockroaches, and/or otherwise not reasonably clean." They further complain about "numerous stray dogs present on the hotel's private beach" which was "littered with dog mess." Additional concerns include undercooked food and contaminated swimming pool water.
Since all claimants were staying on an all-inclusive basis, they consumed food and beverages exclusively or predominantly at the hotel before becoming ill. Each claimant developed symptoms of gastric illness either during their stay or shortly after departure from the property.
Personal Stories of Suffering
Michael Pressley, the widower of Jane Pressley, is among the claimants. His wife fell ill with gastric and flu-like symptoms just two days into her holiday, with her condition deteriorating upon returning to the UK. Hospitalised on Christmas Eve with suspected bacterial infection, she received antibiotics but died a few days later in January 2023.
Karen Pooley from Lydney travelled with a friend to the Riu Funana resort in Sal on October 7, 2025, for a two-week holiday costing £3,000, also booked through TUI. She died after developing gastric symptoms and fracturing her femur after slipping on water leaking from a refrigerator.
Sample Cases to Determine Outcome
During last week's hearing, Master Gidden ruled that the case should proceed by considering 30 lead claimants, whose outcomes will determine the fate of all others involved. The judge specified that "it should be a sample of cases - some simple, some complex, but they should be representative, including some with continuing symptoms."
Barrister Stephen Cottrell, representing the holidaymakers, indicated that the 30 selected claimants would provide evidence at trial regarding "what they ate, what they drank and what the swimming pool was like." He noted that three of the 300 claimants have developed ongoing chronic fatigue syndrome, some experience respiratory problems, and one additional claimant suffered a stroke.
Legal Perspective and Health Warnings
Jatinder Paul, international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, stated: "For several years, we've had numerous holidaymakers instructing us to investigate serious illnesses linked to stays in Cape Verde. This is the first group action to go before the courts and therefore a major milestone in our clients' quest for answers. Those holidaymakers in this group action suffered serious and debilitating illnesses."
Paul emphasised that "the impact of serious gastric illnesses should never be downplayed. They can lead to long-term health complications, and in some cases, can even prove fatal." TUI continues to deny liability for the illnesses.
Separately, the UK Health Security Agency has issued travel warnings for Cape Verde. Since October 1 last year, the agency has identified 118 cases of shigella and 43 cases of salmonella linked to trips to the West African archipelago. Health authorities now advise travellers to consume only freshly prepared, fully cooked food served piping hot, use bottled or boiled water, avoid ice in drinks, peel their own fruit, and avoid salads that may not have been washed in clean water.
