The family of a British woman who passed away while returning from Cape Verde suspects she might be the eighth victim of an illness outbreak on the holiday islands. The 71-year-old mother of two suffered a cardiac arrest during her flight back to Gatwick two years ago. Recently, her family discovered a diary she had kept documenting her illness just weeks later.
Following revelations of four British tourists’ deaths due to sickness on the islands, the family is intensifying efforts to determine if her illness played a role in her demise. The woman’s daughters, choosing to remain anonymous, shared that their father has been profoundly affected by the loss, describing him as a changed man since her passing. The couple had been together since they were 17 and were married for almost five decades.
During their trip to Cape Verde in April 2024, the woman started experiencing gastric illness shortly after arrival. Tragically, she suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on the flight to Gatwick on May 3. Despite lodging a complaint with Tui, the travel company they booked the vacation through, the family opted not to pursue legal action initially. However, upon revisiting their mother’s belongings, they uncovered a diary detailing her ordeal during the trip.
In the diary, the woman chronicled her deteriorating health, unsatisfactory hotel conditions, and lack of basic amenities like running water. She reported issues with the food quality and inadequate facilities, noting her escalating symptoms and discomfort. The family later learned that their mother had underlying health conditions, including asthma, but was generally managing well before the trip.
The family’s quest for answers has shed light on similar cases involving other tourists who fell ill in Cape Verde. The total number of deaths linked to the islands since 2022 could potentially be as high as eight. Investigations revealed a significant number of shigellosis cases among European tourists visiting Cape Verde, with the UK reporting the highest number of positive tests.
Meliá Hotels International emphasized their commitment to guest safety and well-being in response to the tragic incidents. Tui expressed condolences to the affected families and reiterated their priority of customer health and safety. They emphasized the importance of reporting illnesses promptly to provide appropriate assistance while customers are still in destination.
