Gastric illness on holiday

A wedding party from South Wales are amongst more than 400 holidaymakers who are to take legal action over an outbreak of gastric illness at a Turkish hotel, travel law specialists at Irwin Mitchell confirmed today.

Paul and Tracy Swannick from Barry, together with 25 of their wedding guests were amongst holidaymakers staying at the Holiday Village Hotel in Sarigerme who suffered symptoms including severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and abdominal pain during last summer's holiday season. This is the fourth outbreak at the hotel in four years. Salmonella food poisoning has been confirmed in some of the latest cases.

Clive Garner, head of the Travel Law Team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors said: "So far we have been instructed by more than 400 clients who were guests at the hotel and who wish to claim damages. Many of our clients are continuing to suffer with the symptoms of illness many months after their return from the hotel. Some of them are likely to suffer permanent health problems. We are continuing to receive new enquiries about this hotel and we expect to see a continuing increase in the number of clients who instruct us over the next few weeks."

The hotel, previously known as Pegasus Palace, changed its name in 2007 after experiencing similar problems. Mr Garner said: "For the past four years running we have acted for clients who suffered from salmonella poisoning while staying at the Holiday Village Hotel. Cases were reported in 2005, 2006 and 2007 when we represented more than 140 guests making claims for compensation. First Choice has already admitted liability in respect of cases in 2005 and 2006.

"We have now received evidence which clearly shows that there has, yet again, been a major breakdown in health and hygiene standards at the hotel, as well as a failure to assist those holidaymakers who fell ill.

"How so many guests were exposed to the risk of illness and actually became ill at this hotel is a matter of very serious concern for us and our clients. First Choice has instructed solicitors to act for them and it is in everyone’s interests to reach a satisfactory conclusion to our clients’ claims as soon as possible. We hope that this can be achieved shortly. Failing this, formal legal proceedings will be commenced against First Choice."