Birmingham mum among British holidaymakers who died after contracting stomach bugs in Cape Verde, law firm says
Law firm representing families calls for action to improve hygiene standards
Four British tourists died within months of each other after contracting severe gastric illnesses while on holiday in Cape Verde, according to the legal firm representing their families.
Law firm Irwin Mitchell said investigations into the cases are ongoing, with six deaths since 2023 raising concerns over hygiene standards in the Atlantic island resorts booked through tour operator TUI.
Among the affected individuals is Mark Ashley, a 55-year-old self-employed forklift truck driver from Bedfordshire, who fell ill three days into his holiday at Cape Verde’s Riu Palace Santa Maria resort in Sal in October 2025.
His symptoms included stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and extreme fatigue.
Following the trip, Mr Ashley experienced prolonged illness before collapsing at home in Houghton Regis.
He was taken to hospital on 12th November but passed away minutes later. Irwin Mitchell stated his death is being investigated by the coroner.
Elena Walsh, a 64-year-old part-time nurse from Birmingham, also lost her life after becoming severely ill during her August 2025 stay at the Riu Cabo Verde resort, according to the firm.
Karen Pooley, a retired mother-of-two aged 64, from Gloucestershire, suffered a gastric illness while holidaying at the Riu Funana resort in Sal.
Travelling with a friend in October 2025, she became severely ill within days, experiencing diarrhoea and vomiting. She then sustained a broken femur after slipping on a wet surface in the hotel bathroom.
Ms Pooley’s condition worsened, and she was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent medical treatment on 16th October.
Tragically, she died shortly after arrival.
Her husband Andy Pooley said: “Karen was the kindest, loveliest person who lit up every room she entered.”
Lawyers have revealed that gastric illnesses such as Shigella, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter were confirmed in numerous patients, raising serious concerns that insufficient hygiene practices in food preparation and hotel facilities may be contributing factors.
The deaths of these individuals come amid ongoing reports from tourists experiencing debilitating illnesses in Cape Verde resorts.
Jatinder Paul, a serious injury lawyer representing the affected families and over 1,500 other British travellers who have reported illness following their trips to Cape Verde, described the situation as “a scandal.”
“In my experience, I’ve never seen repeated outbreaks of gastric illnesses on this scale at the same resorts over such a prolonged period.”
“It’s almost incomprehensible that holidaymakers are still reporting hygiene issues at these Cape Verde hotels year after year.
“Each case isn’t a statistic; it’s a human story of how lives have been turned upside down.”
The families are calling for tour operators to take decisive action to address hygiene concerns in Cape Verde resorts, affirming that they have a duty to ensure the safety of holidaymakers who book their package deals.
Jatinder added: “Many clients have described feeling fobbed off or ignored.
“Had operators reached out to warn potential travellers of existing outbreaks, many would have reconsidered their holiday plans.”
Lawyers are pressing for admissions of liability and compensation for affected families, including reimbursement for medical expenses and loss of income caused by the illnesses.
They also emphasised that justice goes beyond financial settlements, seeking accountability and improved hygiene standards.
TUI has been contacted for comment.
If you have been affected or wish to report hygiene concerns following a Cape Verde trip it’s advised to contact your tour operator, document your experience with photos and detailed notes, and report directly to the hotel.