Lawyers Investigate Further Four Deaths Of Britons Struck Down By Illness On Holiday In Cape Verde   

Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been instructed by the loved ones of a further four Britons who all fell ill during all-inclusive breaks in the West African country and died. Their deaths happened between November 2024 and December 2025.

They include a self-employed forklift truck driver from Bedfordshire and a charity shop worker from Gloucestershire. Two of the people who died had stayed at the same resort – the Riu Karamboa on the island of Boa Vista.

In total, law firm Irwin Mitchell now represents the loved ones of six British holidaymakers to Cape Verde who have died since January 2023.

Part-time nurse and mum-of-one Eleana Walsh, 64, from Birmingham died in August 2025 after falling ill while staying Riu Cabo Verde resort in Sal. Meanwhile, Jane Pressley, 62, of Gainsborough, died in January 2023 after falling ill while holidaying at Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, Sal, the previous November.  

Investigations are ongoing into the six deaths.  

The latest deaths bring into “sharp focus” the number of British tourists falling ill in Cape Verde, which has been described as “staggering” by the lawyer leading legal claims.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing more than 1,500 British holidaymakers who have suffered gastric illness linked to holidays in Cape Verde since 2022, including the families of the six Britons who have died. All booked their holidays through tour operator TUI.

Jatinder Paul, an expert international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing families, said: “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.

“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.

“It’s almost incomprehensible that holidaymakers continue to describe the hygiene issues at these Cape Verde hotels year-after-year. Each case isn’t a statistic; it’s a human story of how lives have been turned upside down.

“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.

“In the meantime, we call for meaningful and decisive action to get on top of the reported hygiene issues on the islands. Tour operators are responsible for ensuring the safety of those who have booked all-inclusive package holidays. Therefore, we urge them to work with the authorities to ensure the highest hygiene and safety standards are always upheld.”

Irwin Mitchell is also representing the family of a man in his 60s from Watford, who died in November 2024 after suffering gastric illness while staying at the Riu Karamboa on Boa Vista. The law firm is also supporting the family of a 56-year-old man who died in November 2025 after suffering gastric illness while also staying at the Riu Karamboa.

Meanwhile, the first High Court hearing into claims for damages in relation to holidaymakers falling ill in Cape Verde is due to be heard.

A group action involving 300 Britons who suffered illnesses linked to their holidays at Riu Palace Santa Maria in the summer of 2022 is listed to be heard by the High Court in London on 4 February. The case management hearing will set out the timetable to hear the claim. TUI has denied liability.

Several other group actions involving UK holidaymakers who fell ill in Cape Verde after booking through TUI are expected to be listed in the coming months.

Case Studies

Houghton Regis Dad Dies After Staying At Riu Palace Santa Maria

Mark Ashley, aged 55, from Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, travelled with his wife, Emma, to the five star Riu Palace Santa Maria resort in Sal, on 3 October, 2025. Their two week holiday costing £3,461.26 was booked through TUI UK Limited.

Three days into their holiday, Mark, a self-employed forklift truck driver developed severe gastric symptoms including stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and extreme lethargy. Emma said the couple, who had been married for 26 years, had not eaten outside the resort or gone on any excursions before he fell ill.

Emma, an early years assistant manager, said she reported her husband’s illness via the TUI app on 9 October but said they received no meaningful assistance and Mark spent the majority of their holiday confined to their room.

On their return to the UK, dad-of-two Mark’s symptoms continued for several weeks. Despite being visibly unwell he tried to keep working to support his family, Emma said.

After collapsing at home Mark, who controlled his diabetes through medication, was taken to hospital on 12 November but was pronounced dead minutes later. His death has been referred to the coroner with investigations continuing.  

Emma, aged 55, said: “We went to Cape Verde expecting a relaxing break, but Mark became violently ill and never recovered. It was clear to see he wasn’t himself, but despite being so unwell for weeks he tried to keep going to provide for his family.

“We’re in complete shock over Mark’s death. Mark was the most loving and caring husband and dad anyone could wish for. He was hard-working, vibrant, popular and the head of our family.  

“Hygiene standards at the hotel didn’t seem great to me. The food was often lukewarm and looked like it had been recycled from previous mealtimes, sanitisation seemed poor and the limited drinking water was stored in large crates left in the sun.

“Mark was in good health before our holiday and we’re still struggling to comprehend what happened to him. The last couple of months have been unbearable, and our family will never be the same again.

“Mark’s illness wasn’t an isolated incident, and we deserve answers about what happened to him.”

Mark also leaves behind daughter Charley, aged 29 and son Alfie, aged 21.

Retired Benefits Advisor From Lydney Dies After Staying At Riu Funana

Karen Pooley, aged 64, from Lydney, Gloucestershire, travelled with a close friend to the Riu Funana resort in Sal, on 7 October 2025, for a fortnight’s holiday costing £3,000 and booked through TUI.

A retired benefits adviser, Karen was a devoted wife to Andy and mum to James and Liz, aged 29 and 37.

On 11 October, Karen developed sickness and diarrhoea and returned to her room to rest.

In the early hours of 12 October, still suffering gastric illness, Karen slipped on water leaking from the fridge while going to the bathroom, suffering a broken left leg.

She was transferred to a local clinic. Over the next four days, Karen continued to experience diarrhoea and vomiting alongside severe pain from the fracture of her femur, and her condition deteriorated.

On 16 October, Karen was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care and admitted to intensive care. She died in the early hours of 17 October. Her initial death certificate, issued by the Cape Verde authorities, said Karen died of multi-organ failure, sepsis – where the body attacks itself in response to an infection –  cardio respiratory arrest and a broken left leg.

Andy, aged 62, said: “We’re utterly heartbroken. Karen was the kindest, loveliest person. She was a devoted wife and mum who loved swimming, walking the dog in the Forest of Dean and volunteered at a local charity shop. She was also a wonderful friend who lit up every room she entered.

“During regular video calls with Karen when she was in the clinic in Cape Verde we could see she was in significant distress. At times Karen became delirious and appeared to be drifting in and out of consciousness.

“However, communication from the clinic and Tui was poor and we were desperate for updates while watching Karen get worse.

“If it wasn’t for the pain we wake with daily it almost wouldn’t seem real that Karen is no longer with us. We’re devastated and struggling to understand how she went on holiday and never came home.”