Sheffield Couple Celebrating Graduations Among Guests Who Complained Of Gastric Symptoms

Specialist international serious injury lawyers have issued legal proceedings after several holidaymakers at a five-star hotel in Cape Verde were struck down with illness.

A total of 13 people have instructed Irwin Mitchell to pursue legal action through the Courts following complaints of severe gastric illness after they stayed at the Hotel Riu Touareg between February and August 2018.  At least eight of those affected sought medical attention on their return to the UK and some of them have continued to suffer serious health complications since.

Among those who fell ill in the summer of 2018 were Emerald Hutton and John Rossiter, from Sheffield, who stayed at the resort in July 2018 after booking their holiday through tour operator TUI UK Limited.  The couple, who went on holiday to celebrate their graduations, reported suffering from gastric symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

The legal team has now issued legal proceedings against TUI UK Ltd on behalf of the 13 holidaymakers.

Unfortunately, it is not the first time that Irwin Mitchell has been instructed to help holidaymakers returning from the Hotel Riu Touareg in Cape Verde, with the specialists also acting for dozens of people affected by previous issues at this hotel in 2013, 2016 and 2017. More recently, the firm has been instructed by over 40 holidaymakers who visited the hotel in the summer of 2019.

Expert Opinion

“It’s very concerning that a number of people fell ill with serious gastric symptoms after staying at this resort in Cape Verde.

The effects of gastric illness are often severe and lasting, and should never be downplayed as a lot of people affected continue to suffer issues for a long time afterwards.

Our clients still have concerns and questions over how they fell ill, so we’ve been left with no option but to issue proceedings to provide them with the answers they deserve and to help them to recover compensation for the suffering they have experienced. We now call on TUI to work with us in bringing this case to a resolution.

It’s also vital that, where appropriate, any lessons from this case are learned to improve safety for other holidaymakers.”
Hannah Clifford - Solicitor

Emerald, and John, both 24, from Sheffield, stayed at the Hotel Riu Touareg from 19 to 29 July 2018.  They both fell ill on the third day of their holiday, complaining of diarrhoea, abdominal pain and weight loss.  John also suffered headaches and nausea, and he was sweating excessively.

On their return to the UK, Emerald visited a walk-in centre regarding her symptoms, which continued until the end of July, and John’s symptoms continued until the middle of August.

John and Emerald told their lawyers that they had concerns over hygiene at the hotel.  In particular, they recalled food at the buffet-style restaurant being lukewarm and left uncovered with flies around it.

Emerald said: “At the time, we were both final year students at university and we saved up all this money for a holiday to celebrate us graduating.  We expected it to be amazing, but sadly it just didn’t feel clean or hygienic which is the minimum we would expect from a five-star hotel.

“While we can’t change what happened, we just want to know why we were so ill and help prevent it from happening to anyone else.”

John, a PE and maths teacher, added: “It was devastating as we had spent so long saving up for it, but it didn’t live up to our expectations at all.

“Almost three years on, we are also still cautious when eating out and it’s made us think twice about our holidays.

“I wish I could turn back the clock and stop us from going on that plane that day, but of course that isn’t possible.  All we want now is answers.”

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