Tragic Deaths of British Tourists Following Cape Verde Holidays
Four British citizens have died within a four-month period after falling seriously ill with stomach bugs while holidaying in Cape Verde, according to legal representatives working with their grieving families. The law firm Irwin Mitchell has revealed it is currently investigating these tragic cases while representing more than 1,500 individuals who became unwell after visiting the West African island nation.
Victims and Their Stories
The deceased include Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old from Birmingham who passed away in August last year after becoming ill during her stay at a resort on the island of Sal. Mark Ashley from Bedfordshire, who managed his diabetes through medication, fell violently ill just three days into his October holiday, experiencing severe symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and extreme lethargy.
His widow Emma Ashley described the family being in "complete shock" over his sudden death, stating they had expected a relaxing break but instead faced tragedy. Mr Ashley collapsed at their Houghton Regis home on 12 November and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital.
Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire, became sick four days into her two-week holiday last October. The situation worsened when she slipped on water leaking from a refrigerator while going to the bathroom early one morning. She was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent medical care on 16 October but died the following day.
Additional Cases Under Investigation
Irwin Mitchell is also investigating the deaths of two other British nationals who died while holidaying in Cape Verde since January 2023:
- Jane Pressley, aged 62, who died in January 2023 after falling ill during her holiday the previous November
- A man in his 60s who died in November 2024 after suffering gastric illness following a trip to the islands
The law firm reports that Ms Pooley's initial death certificate from Cape Verde authorities indicated she died from multiple organ failure, sepsis, cardio-respiratory arrest, and a broken left leg.
Families Seek Answers and Compensation
All six families are now pursuing personal injury claims for damages against tour operator Tui, through which their holidays were booked. Both the Ashley and Pooley families reported spending over £3,000 on their respective trips.
Andy Pooley, Karen's husband, expressed his family's devastation, stating they were "desperate for updates while watching Karen get worse" and struggling to comprehend how she went on holiday but never returned home. He criticised what he described as poor communication from both the medical clinic and holiday provider during the crisis.
Legal Perspective on the Outbreak
Jatinder Paul, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, commented: "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 that in his professional experience, he had never witnessed "repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time." The law firm has called upon tour operators to collaborate with local authorities to ensure the highest possible hygiene and safety standards are consistently maintained.
Tui's Response and Investigation
A spokesperson for Tui confirmed the company is fully investigating the claims being made, emphasising that they ensure any customers who fall ill while on holiday have access to appropriate care and assistance. The holiday provider noted that sometimes individuals who become unwell do not report their illness or seek support during their stay, which can limit the assistance they are able to provide.
The tragic cases highlight growing concerns about health and safety standards at holiday destinations, particularly regarding food and water hygiene practices that can lead to serious gastric illnesses affecting travellers.
