Over 1,700 British Holidaymakers Join Landmark Legal Action Against TUI Over Cape Verde Illness Outbreaks

Over 1,700 holidaymakers join a massive claim against TUI after illness outbreaks in Cape Verde. Lawyers report eight deaths linked to the gastric infections.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 7:03 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC News

A Crisis of Scale and Fatality

The legal challenge against TUI has escalated into one of the largest personal injury claims in UK travel history. Solicitors from Irwin Mitchell informed the BBC that the number of claimants has surged to over 1,700, with reports of illnesses coming as recently as late March 2026. Legal experts have expressed shock at the scale of the case, noting that they believe the death toll associated with these holiday outbreaks has now reached eight people. The claim asserts that TUI failed in its duty of care to provide safe package holidays, leading to widespread suffering and tragic loss of life.

Severe Infections and Medical Warnings

The claimants have reported a range of serious gastrointestinal and parasitic infections, including E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Cryptosporidium. Those affected span all age groups, including infants as young as six months. In February, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a formal warning to travelers following a spike in laboratory-confirmed cases linked to the West African archipelago. Since October 2025, officials have documented over 150 cases of Shigella and Salmonella among returning travelers, prompting intense scrutiny of local health and hygiene standards.

Tragic Accounts from Bereaved Families

Among the most harrowing testimonies are those from families of the deceased. Elena Walsh, 64, died in August last year just two days after falling ill at the five-star RIU Cabo Verde resort. Her son, Sean Walsh, described a rapid and terrifying deterioration in her health. Another victim, 64-year-old Karen Pooley, died in October from sepsis and multi-organ failure after contracting gastric symptoms and subsequently suffering a fall in her room. Her family has blamed the travel provider for a lack of adequate support and the conditions that led to her illness.