Solicitors have described the ongoing legal case against TUI as one of the biggest in history after more than 1700 Brits reported health issues while holidaying in Cape Verde.
It is believed that eight people have also sadly passed away after becoming ill in the popular island destination, which is renowned for its golden beaches and year-round warm weather.
It was reported earlier this year that a handful of Brits had died after staying in five-star resorts in the Portuguese-speaking country, while another family spoke out after their mum died from supposedly 'unhygienic conditions' in the hotel.
The stomach and gastric issues that are seemingly plaguing visitors to the country are far from new however, and cases continue to increase, which has led to the UK Health Security Agency to even warn travellers about visiting.
When was the sickness in Cape Verde first reported?
Although cases have been reported in the past two weeks, it seems as if the first cases were first reported all the way back in October 2025.
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Back in February, the UKHSA identified 118 cases of shigella and 43 of salmonella in the West African archipelago, but that number has likely increased in the two months since.
Irwin Mitchell, the solicitors who are leading the personal injury claims made against holiday company TUI, has suggested that Britons have also reported issues such as E-coli and parasitic infections.
Jatinder Paul, from Irwin Mitchell solicitors, told the BBC: "In all my years of doing this work, I have not seen a case this large and unfortunately so many that have died as a result of the illnesses.
"We are pursuing all of our cases against TUI. They had a responsibility in taking our clients away on a package holiday which was not going to cause them any illness. Unfortunately it was the opposite of that."
Many of the visitors to Cape Verde had travelled as part of a package holiday organised by the travel agency TUI, which has helped over 1 million customers travel to Cape Verde in the last few years.
Paul added: "If we're unable to resolve them amicably we expect a judge in the High Court to make an order which would involve payment of millions of pounds worth of damages to our clients."
What has TUI said about the deaths and sickness in Cape Verde?
TUI has confirmed that it is investigating the claims but also suggested that it did 'not yet have access to the full Cape Verde health report, which remains unpublished'.
The company suggested that customer health and safety is its 'highest priority' and emphasised that it was 'deeply saddened by the reports of these tragic losses'.
Illnesses are seemingly spread through contact with contaminated faeces, which can often occur either from person-to-person transmission or by ingesting unclean food or water.
People are advised to therefore only eat food which is piping hot and fully cooked, as well as ensuring that salads are washed and fruits are only peeled by the person eating them.
"Taking a few simple precautions against traveller's diarrhoea and food poisoning can make all the difference," Dr Gauri Godbole, the UKHSA's deputy director for gastrointestinal infections and food safety, said.
"The best way to avoid gastrointestinal infections, including shigella and salmonella, or passing them to others, is simply by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol gel – particularly after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before eating or preparing food."
LADbible group has contacted TUI for comment.
James Moorhouse