Law firm Irwin Mitchell has been instructed by more holidaymakers who say they fell ill while staying at a Cape Verde hotel.
Twelve people have contacted the firm, claiming they became unwell while holidaying at the five-star Riu Palace Boavista Hotel, between June and December 2024. The guests were clients of TUI.
It’s the third time in three years that UK guests at the hotel have instructed the law firm, which was already representing more than 60 people who say they fell ill in either 2022 or 2023.
Irwin Mitchell said it is currently representing more than 1,400 clients who have become ill, with symptoms linked to Salmonella, E.coli and Shigella, at hotels across Cape Verde over the last three years.
Specialist International Serious Injury Lawyer Jennifer Hodgson said: “The sheer number of cases we’ve seen of people falling ill in Cape Verde is staggering.
“Many of our clients, including children, report very similar experiences and symptoms that have left them seriously ill. Some continue to suffer from the effects, often months after returning home, impacting their jobs, their education and their social lives.
“Our clients understandably have many questions over how they were so ill from debilitating symptoms and how British holidaymakers continue to be sent to the same resorts when lessons from past outbreaks don’t appear to have been learned.
“Steps need to be taken to reduce the health risk to other holidaymakers going forward. As part of our own investigations, we would be interested in hearing from anyone else who stayed at the hotel at the same time as this group.”
Last month, the UK Foreign Office updated its advice to warn Brits of limited medical facilities on Cape Verde.
A TUI spokesperson said: “Our priority is to ensure customers have the best possible holiday experience, which is why we were very sorry to hear that these customers were ill during their holiday to Cape Verde. As this is now a legal matter, we are unable to comment any further at this time.”
See also: TUI investigates claims 140 clients fell sick on same Cape Verde holiday
And: Authorities urged to investigate after dozens of tourists, including 48 Brits, fall ill in Cape Verde
