Four Britons die within four months after holidaying in Cape Verde

Four Britons have died within four months of being struck down with stomach bugs while on holiday in Cape Verde, lawyers representing their families say.

Elena Walsh, from Birmingham, Mark Ashley, from Bedfordshire, Karen Pooley, from Gloucestershire, and a 56-year-old man all died last year after contracting severe gastric illnesses while staying on the island country off the coast of West Africa.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is investigating their deaths, as well as the deaths of two other Britons who died on holiday there since January 2023.

It says it is representing more than 1,500 people who have fallen ill after visiting Cape Verde.

Ms Walsh, 64, died in August last year after falling ill during her stay at a resort on the island of Sal.

Mr Ashley, who had diabetes but controlled through medication, fell ill three days into his holiday in October last year, with symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and extreme lethargy.

His widow Emma told PA their family is in "complete shock" over his death.

"We went to Cape Verde expecting a relaxing break, but Mark became violently ill and never recovered," she said.

Ms Ashley says they booked their trip with Tui, which cost more than £3,000.

She first reported her husband's illness with Tui on 9 October, but his symptoms continued for some time upon their return to the UK.

On 12 November, Mr Ashley collapsed in their home in Houghton Regis and was pronounced dead in hospital minutes later.

Ms Pooley, 64, went on a two-week-long holiday in October last year that had also been booked through Tui and which cost more than £3,000.

She fell sick four days into the trip with gastric symptoms, and the next day slipped on water leaking from a fridge while going to the bathroom early in the morning.

She was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care on 16 October and died the next day, her lawyers say.

Her husband Andy told the Press Association his wife appeared to be in "significant distress" when her family video-called her from home, and claims communication from both the clinic and holiday provider was poor.

"We were desperate for updates while watching Karen get worse," he said.

"We're devastated and struggling to understand how she went on holiday and never came home."

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Irwin Mitchell says Ms Pooley's initial death certificate from Cape Verde authorities shows she died of multiple organ failure, sepsis, cardio-respiratory arrest and a broken left leg.

The two other Britons who have died while holidaying in Cape Verde since 2023 are Jane Pressley, who died aged 62 in January 2023 after falling ill during her holiday the previous November, and a man in his 60s who died in November 2024, who suffered gastric illness following a trip to the island country.

Personal injury claims

All six of the victims' families are making personal injury claims for damages against Tui.

"The number of holidaymakers to Cape Verde being struck down with serious and debilitating gastric illnesses is truly staggering. Nothing brings the gravity of this situation into sharper focus than these recent deaths," says Irwin Mitchell serious injury lawyer Jatinder Paul.

"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."

He added: "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."

The law firm has called for tour operators to work with local authorities to ensure the highest hygiene and safety standards are always upheld.

Tui investigating claims

A spokesperson for Tui says it is fully investigating the claims being made and ensures any customers who fall ill while on holiday have access to appropriate care and assistance.

The holiday provider says sometimes individuals who fall ill do not report illness or seek support from them during their stay, which limits what they care they can offer.

(c) Sky News 2026: Four Britons die within four months after holidaying in Cape Verde