Pair Continue To Suffer From Symptoms Weeks After Return From Caribbean

A couple are taking legal action against tour operator TUI UK Ltd after falling ill while holidaying in the Dominican Republic.

Mina Ly and her partner, from Brixton in London were enjoying a week-long holiday at the four-star Caribe Club Princess Resort and Spa in Punta Cana to celebrate Mina’s 34^th birthday when they both fell ill with gastric symptoms.

The pair instructed expert international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell when, after weeks back in the UK, they were still suffering from painful abdominal pains, diarrhoea and sickness.

Irwin Mitchell is now investigating the couple’s allegations regarding the conditions at the Caribe Club Princess.

Mina, 34, and her partner, booked the holiday through TUI UK, operating as Thomson Holidays, for September 13 to 21.

But after arriving at the resort the couple said they were horrified to find ants sometimes crawling over food in the buffet restaurant and birds occasionally flying around the serving stations and tables in the dining area. They have also reported that food was sometimes left out for long periods.

Just days into the holiday, the pair began feeling unwell; experiencing abdominal cramps, sickness and diarrhoea and they were left unable to enjoy the rest of their holiday. Mina’s partner, a bar manager, was too ill to return to work when they arrived back in the UK on September 21.

Jatinder Paul, an Associate Solicitor and expert international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Mina, said:

Expert Opinion

“The couple were supposed to spend their holiday relaxing and enjoying themselves, but they were not only left suffering with gastric illness, they had to endure it in a room they felt was unclean and unsuitable.

“We have seen first-hand how much of an impact gastric illness can cause and the effects it can have on the many people who suffer long-lasting problems.

“No one goes on holiday expecting to suffer from illness problems as this couple did and we would encourage TUI UK Ltd to look into the matter to prevent other holidaymakers suffering from the same issues.

“I would encourage anyone who has stayed at the Caribe Club Princess Resort and Spa and has since experienced gastric symptoms, to see their GP at the earliest available opportunity. We would also like to speak with them as they may be able to help our investigations.” Jatinder Paul - Partner

Mina said: “The holiday just was not what you would expect from a four star hotel. We felt let down from the moment we got there but tried to make the best of it anyway, until we fell ill.

“I’m really disappointed with the trip. You trust tour operators to give you what they promise when you part with your money, but I felt that this hotel was anything but.

“I would hate for anyone else to go through what we did, so I hope the tour operator properly investigates to prevent that from happening.”