Four Brits die after falling ill at five-star resorts of same holiday destination

Four stomach bug deaths in four months for Brits on holiday in Cape Verde are under an 'ongoing' investigation, legal representatives for the families of the dead have said.

In the span of four months last year, 64-year-old Elena Walsh of Birmingham, 55-year-old Mark Ashley of Bedfordshire, 64-year-old Karen Pooley of Gloucestershire, and a 56-year-old man all died after contracting severe illnesses.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing the families of six people who have died while visiting Cape Verde since January 2023, and over 1,500 who fell ill while on holiday there.

The families are making personal injury claims against Tui, which provides package holidays to Cape Verde, and serious injury lawyer Jatinder Paul said it was 'truly staggering' how many people who went to the popular holiday destination had suffered 'serious and debilitating gastric illnesses'.

He said: "In my experience I’m used to supporting holidaymakers who have fallen ill at resorts across the globe, but I’ve never seen repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time."

Elena Walsh died after falling ill while on holiday in Cape Verde (Irwin Mitchell/PA Wire)

Walsh died in August 2025 while staying at the Riu Cabo Verde resort, having gone there to celebrate her husband's 60th birthday and their son getting engaged.

Having journeyed out on 1 August, the 64-year-old felt unwell around a week into the trip, experiencing symptoms of sickness, diarrhoea and heavy sweats, and her condition deteriorated until she died on 10 August.

Mark Ashley and his wife Emma had been staying at the Riu Palace Santa Maria resort. She reported his illness on 9 October, having previously raised concerns over hygiene standards at the hotel.

Mark Ashley (back row, left) died after falling seriously ill while on holiday in Cape Verde, with him contracting a severe gastric illness while on holiday (Irwin Mitchell/PA Wire)

His symptoms continued after they returned to the UK until he collapsed at home. He was taken to hospital on 12 November where he was pronounced dead.

Karen Pooley had gone to the Riu Funana resort with a friend, arriving on 7 October before falling ill on 11 October. The next day, she slipped on water from a leaking fridge, fracturing her femur, her gastric symptoms became worse, and she was airlifted to Tenerife on 16 October before dying the following day.

Karen Pooley, pictured alongside her son (Irwin Mitchell/PA Wire)

Jatinder Paul said: "It’s almost incomprehensible that holidaymakers continue to describe the 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.

"Understandably, those we represent have serious concerns about hygiene standards in Cape Verde. While nothing can make up for what’s happened, we’re determined to at least help establish the answers they deserve.

"In the meantime, we call for meaningful and decisive action to get on top of the reported hygiene issues on the islands. Tour operators are responsible for ensuring the safety of those who have booked all-inclusive package holidays.

"Therefore, we urge them to work with the authorities to ensure the highest hygiene and safety standards are always upheld."

The LADbible Group has contacted Tui for comment.