Travel giant TUI is facing a £5 million lawsuit due to allegations that numerous vacationers became ill while staying at a luxurious five-star hotel in Cape Verde. Approximately 300 claims have been filed by individuals who reported sickness either during or after their visits to the Riu Palace Santa Maria Hotel in 2022. This popular winter sun destination has come under scrutiny for hygiene concerns that are believed to have led to guests suffering from gastric ailments.
Complaints from victims include issues such as undercooked food, substandard sanitation, unsanitary pool facilities, as well as encounters with stray dogs and cockroaches. Many guests reported experiencing symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting while at the hotel. Legal representatives at Irwin Mitchell are representing the claimants seeking damages exceeding £5 million at the High Court, stating that over 1,500 tourists fell ill during their trips to the islands near West Africa. TUI is refuting any responsibility in the matter.
This case is the first of several lawsuits managed by Irwin Mitchell to progress to court, with holidaymakers who visited Cape Verde since 2022 reporting similar issues. Tragically, four British individuals died in 2025 after falling sick during all-inclusive vacations, while two others passed away in January 2023 and November 2024, respectively.
Among the deceased were Elena Walsh, Mark Ashley, Karen Pooley, and an unnamed male, who succumbed to severe gastric illnesses between August and November 2025. Jane Pressley died in January 2023, while a man in his 60s from Watford passed away in November 2024. Notably, many affected individuals had stayed at all-inclusive resorts in Sal, specifically under the management of Riu Hotels and booked through TUI. The claims involving the TUI-operated Riu Palace Santa Maria Hotel were the first to undergo a pre-trial hearing recently.
Judge Master Mark Gidden confirmed that a six-week trial at the end of the following year will determine the outcome of the claims. Legal documents submitted for the High Court proceedings suggest that the compensation payouts could surpass £5 million.
Jatinder Paul, an international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, emphasized the severity of the situation, noting the long-term implications of gastric illnesses and the unfortunate fatalities. The affected individuals from the 2022 incidents included even young children, some as young as six months old, who suffered from various severe gastrointestinal infections, necessitating medical treatment both locally and upon return to the UK.
Lead claimant Nicky Morley from Devon fell ill during her stay at Riu Palace Santa Maria Hotel in May 2022, experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain early into her visit. Despite receiving medical care in Cape Verde, she continues to endure gastric issues, resulting in a significant weight loss and impacting her daily life.
Recently, health authorities issued a caution regarding travel to Cape Verde following investigations by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) uncovering cases of shigella and salmonella tied to visits to the destination. The majority of reported cases were linked to Cape Verde, particularly the Santa Maria and Boa Vista regions, prompting reminders from experts about basic hygiene practices to prevent gastrointestinal infections.
Dr. Gauri Godbole, deputy director at UKHSA, stressed the importance of regular handwashing to reduce the risk of infections like shigella and salmonella, which can have serious consequences if not managed properly.
