More than 800 British holidaymakers have launched High Court legal action against Tui after falling seriously ill at luxury resorts in Cape Verde.
The 836 tourists claim their dream trips turned into “holidays from hell” between 2022 and 2025 – with many still suffering “debilitating symptoms” years later.
Adults and children, including a six-month-old baby, contracted serious conditions such as E.coli, salmonella and shigella whilst staying at eight different four or five-star resorts.
Nicky Morley, a 54-year-old author from Devon, paid over £2,000 for a holiday at the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria resort in May 2022.
Nicky Morley believes she was served raw pork at the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria resort
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She believes she was served raw pork at the hotel’s poolside restaurant – which left her in hospital – before being served raw chicken upon her return to the resort.
Morley has lost more than four stone and continues to suffer with diarrhoea, pain and nausea nearly three years later.
“My whole life has been affected,” she said.
Kelly Barrett and her family from Wales paid over £5,000 for a fortnight at Hotel Riu Funana in November 2022.
Her children Rowan and Dennie, now aged four and three, fell seriously ill with stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
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Lawyers claim Tui failed to protect holidaymakers from multiple hygiene failures at the Cape Verde resorts
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After hospital treatment in the resort, the siblings’ conditions worsened, requiring an airlift to Tenerife – over 1,500km away – for specialist care.
More than two years later, both children still suffer from altered bowel habits, while Rowan has developed a fear of doctors.
“The holiday went from what we hoped would be a dream trip to a disaster,” Barret said. “We deserve answers.”
Lawyers claim Tui failed to protect holidaymakers from multiple hygiene failures at the Cape Verde resorts.
Alleged breaches include undercooked food, meals served at incorrect temperatures, food being reused in later meals, and unclean swimming pools.
Holidaymakers described seeing birds, ants and flies around food preparation and buffet areas, where staff reportedly failed to wear basic protective equipment like gloves or hairnets.
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors said the number of people who fell ill in Cape Verde over three years “is truly staggering”.
The firm has been instructed by more than 1,400 people affected by illnesses linked to the islands.
Jatinder Paul, representing the 836 tourists, said: “Despite the seriousness of these cases, it is regrettable that Tui have failed to resolve these claims amicably.”
The law firm reported that Tui has either denied liability or failed to reply on all cases.
A Tui spokesman previously said: “As this is now a legal matter, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”