What should be a dream getaway has turned into a devastating nightmare for numerous British tourists in Cape Verde. A highly contagious bacterial infection, shigella, has tragically claimed the lives of at least six British holidaymakers, with thousands more falling seriously ill after visiting the West African islands.
Over 1,500 UK tourists are now pursuing legal action against tour operator TUI, reporting severe sickness during their all-inclusive breaks. The situation has been so critical that local hospitals were described as ‘war zones,’ struggling to cope with the influx of patients.
Among the victims is Mark Ashley, 55, who tragically died weeks after returning from his stay at the five-star RIU Palace Santa Maria resort. Mark developed severe stomach pain, vomiting, and fever just three days into his holiday. His wife Emma expressed their shock, questioning how their £3,000 trip went so wrong, citing ‘lukewarm’ food and ‘poor’ sanitation at the hotel.
Karen Pooley, 54, also fell critically ill at the RIU Funana resort and sadly passed away due to multi-organ failure and sepsis after being airlifted to intensive care. Her husband, Andy, spoke of their heartbreak and criticised the medical care and TUI’s communication.
Shigella, caused by contaminated faeces and spread through tainted food, water, or person-to-person contact, usually clears up quickly. However, it can be deadly for those with underlying health conditions. The UK Health Security Agency reported a staggering 80% of shigella cases between October and December were from individuals returning from Cape Verde.
The Foreign Office has now issued warnings, and investigations are ongoing. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of hygiene and safety standards, turning what should be paradise into a profound loss for many families.
