The health authorities of United Kingdom They issued an alert after the death of six British tourists who contracted a gastrointestinal disease in Cape Verdean island country located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 500-600 km off the west coast of Africa, opposite Senegal.
Furthermore, more than 150 personas reported serious symptoms of stomach infections in recent months. Symptoms include fever, severe diarrhea y abdominal cramps intense, according to the media The Mirror.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) linked these outbreaks of salmonella y shigella with tourists who visited the African archipelago. According to official records, 95 percent of the 118 cases of shigella since October 1 correspond to people who were in the areas of Santa Maria y Boa Vista.
Mark Ashley55, was among the fatalities after his stay at the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria complex in Sal. The man presented lethargy, stomach pain, vomiting and fever just three days after his arrival at the hotel.
Upon his return to the United Kingdom, Ashley collapsed and died shortly after in a hospital.
his wife, Emma Ashleyexpressed his indignation at the lack of hygiene measures in the tourist complex. She reported that the trip cost more than the £3,000 and that she notified her husband’s illness through the company application TUI on October 9.
«We went to Cape Verde expecting a relaxing break, but Mark became violently ill and never recovered,» Emma Ashley told the media. Their testimony joins that of other families who lost loved ones in similar circumstances during the last year.
Karen Pooley64, died in October 2025 after contracting gastric symptoms at the Riu Funana complex. The woman suffered a fall due to a water leak in her room and died days later in Tenerife after an emergency transfer.
His death certificate indicated a multiple organ failure and sepsis as causes of death.
Andy Pooleyher husband, described Karen as a kind person and dedicated to her family. The man stated that they are still struggling to understand how she could go on vacation and never return home.
Criticism of TUI for its handling of the health crisis
Various tourists launched harsh criticism against the travel operator TUI for his management of the health crisis. Several affected people maintained that the company denied the existence of other cases of illness when they presented their initial complaints to hotel representatives.
«TUI lied through all of this,» claimed one irate customer on a public social media group. He alleged that the company rejected the veracity of his claims about hospitalized people and unsanitary conditions in the establishments.
Visitor reports describe alarming scenes, with cockroaches in food areas and frequent cuts in the water supply. A tourist reported that the hotel where he stayed seemed like a «war zone» and that he had to pay an additional amount to change establishments due to the lack of help from the operator.
The law firm Irwin Mitchell represents the families of the six deceased and more than 1,500 people affected by these outbreaks. The law firm initiated claims for damages against TUI, arguing that safety and cleanliness standards were poor in the tourist packages offered.
The UKHSA has updated its advice for those planning visits to the region in the near future. The agency urged travelers to consume only freshly prepared foods and bottled water, in addition to avoiding ice in drinks and salads washed with local water.
To date, the company TUI did not issue official responses to requests for comment on the deaths and allegations of negligence. The investigation into the conditions of local hotels and swimming pools continues to determine the exact origin of the contamination.
