Hundreds of British Tourists Launch Legal Action Over Gastric Illnesses at Cape Verde Hotels

Hundreds of British holidaymakers are joining forces in a legal battle after experiencing severe gastric illnesses during their stays at luxury hotels on the West African island of Cape Verde.

In total, 926 individuals have reported falling seriously ill over the past three years, turning what were supposed to be relaxing vacations into “holidays from hell.”

The five star Riu Cabo Verde hotel in Cape Verde where some of the affected guests stayed

Many of those affected were hospitalised, suffering from serious illnesses such as Shigella and Salmonella at seven different hotels across the island.

Among those seeking legal recourse are Cordelia Plummer, 56, from Shard End, Birmingham, and her partner, Ian Waller, 56, from Kingston-Upon-Hull. The couple fell seriously ill during their two-week stay at the Riu Cabo Verde Hotel in Sal between July 12 and July 27 this year. They had paid nearly £3,000 for an all-inclusive break booked through Tui.

Cordelia Plummer her partner Ian Waller (Picture: Irwin Mitchell/SWNS)

Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the affected holidaymakers, expressed deep concern over the high volume of forthcoming clients.

He stated, “The sheer volume of clients we’re continuing to see coming forward having fallen ill during stays in Cape Verde over the last three years is incredibly concerning.” Paul emphasised that these incidents are not isolated and pointed to a troubling pattern of ongoing illness among holidaymakers.

Cordelia experienced severe gastric symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, a week into their trip and was confined to her room for four days. Upon returning to the UK, her GP suspected she may have contracted Shigella. Ian fell ill a few days later with similar symptoms, which persisted after their return home. He is still dealing with ongoing changes to his bowel habits.

Karen Edwards and David Watkinson have joined the legal action (Picture: Irwin Mitchell/SWNS)

The couple noted unsanitary conditions at the hotel, including cockroaches in the restaurant, which they found “disgusting.” Cordelia recounted an instance where a staff member picked up a cockroach in a napkin and walked toward the kitchen with it. They also reported that food was often served uncovered and lukewarm, with some dishes appearing multiple times during their stay.

Their experience is not unique, as the couple spoke with other guests at the hotel suffering from similar symptoms. Upon returning home, they were shocked to discover numerous negative reviews online, with many other holidaymakers recounting similar experiences.

Matthew and Emma Roper were also among those to fall ill in Cape Verde (Picture: Irwin Mitchell/SWNS)

In 2022, over 170 holidaymakers initiated legal action after falling ill at the Riu Funana Hotel, with additional complaints emerging from guests who stayed there in 2023. Hundreds of others have since contacted Irwin Mitchell following illnesses at various hotels in Cape Verde.

The situation raises serious health concerns for the tourism sector in Cape Verde, as more than 1,000 individuals have reportedly fallen ill, with over 700 casualties since the attacks began. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring food safety and addressing the underlying issues that have led to these alarming reports of illness among holidaymakers.