Over 350 people are suing a luxury resort in Cape Verde after the holiday-goers fell seriously ill while staying at the five-star destination.
The group are taking legal action against the tour operator following the incident, which saw a 62-year-old woman pass away after contracting a gastric and flu-like illness.
Her widower is among the hundreds of guests who are launching lawsuits against the tour operator TUI UK Ltd.
Prior their stay in Cape Verde, Michael Pressley had been excited to celebrate his wife Jane’s 62nd birthday at the luxury resort.
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After arriving on 27 November, 2022 though, the couple were among over 350 who suddenly became ill during their five-star package holiday.
Just two days into their trip. Mrs Pressley began to experience vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as other flu-like symptoms.
Whilst Mr Pressley would recover quickly from his illness, his wife was not so lucky as the care assistant already suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Upon returning to the UK, the 62-year-old’s condition worsened with Mrs Pressley being admitted to hospital on Christmas Eve with a suspected bacterial infection.
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Less than two weeks later, she would tragically pass away on January 5, 2023.
According to law firm Irwin Mitchell, the mother-of-two died from ‘infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’ – despite receiving medical and care antibiotics.
Her husband is now among a group of holiday-makers who are launching a lawsuit against TUI in a bid to get answers as to what happened.
"When we were told she might have a bacterial infection, it made sense as we had heard of others that had holidayed at the same place and had also been unwell,” Mr Pressley told ITV News.
"We thought she would get some antibiotics and she’d be fine. To then see her die within a few weeks is hard to accept.”
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The food production worker went on to explain how his family had struggled ‘every day’ after their sudden loss.
Jatinder Paul, a lawyer representing the widower, confirmed that he and more than 350 other people will now be taking legal action against the company.
“We're representing more than 350 others who fell seriously ill at this hotel in 2022. Therefore this latest development is of significant concern,” she explained to the Mail Online.
“The impact of such illnesses should never be downplayed as they can lead to long-term health issues and in some cases can prove fatal.”
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TUI have provided a statement to LADbible which read: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the Pressley family. As this is now a legal matter, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further."
LADbible has also approached the RIU Palace Resort for comment.
Katherine Sidnell