A series of tragic incidents has emerged involving four British tourists who lost their lives in Cape Verde following severe gastrointestinal illnesses. Their families are now pursuing legal action against the holiday provider Tui, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding these deaths continue.
A Disturbing Trend
According to legal representatives from Irwin Mitchell, these four fatalities are part of a troubling trend involving six British citizens who have died after visiting Cape Verde since January 2023. The deceased include Mark Ashley, 55, from Bedfordshire; Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham; Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire; and a 56-year-old man whose identity has not been disclosed. All four experienced debilitating stomach ailments while on holiday in the islands located off the west coast of Africa.
Emma Ashley, Mark’s wife, expressed her family’s “complete shock” over his untimely death. The law firm highlighted that they are also assisting over 1,500 other individuals who reported falling ill after holidays in Cape Verde.
The Illness and Its Aftermath
Mark Ashley began to experience severe symptoms, including stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and extreme fatigue, just three days into their holiday in October. Emma had raised concerns about the resort’s hygiene standards through Tui’s app on October 9. Despite returning home, Mark’s symptoms persisted, ultimately leading to his collapse at their residence in Houghton Regis. Tragically, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital on November 12. His death has been referred to the coroner, prompting further investigation.
Elena Walsh, a part-time nurse, also succumbed to similar health issues. She fell ill during her stay at the Riu Cabo Verde resort in August 2025. Meanwhile, Karen Pooley’s holiday took a turn for the worse when she developed gastric symptoms on October 11. After suffering a fall caused by a leak from a fridge, she was rushed to a local clinic. Despite ongoing medical attention, she was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent care but sadly passed away just hours later.
Family Grief and Legal Action
The families of the deceased are grappling with immense grief. Andy Pooley, Karen’s husband, described their heartbreak, stating that his wife was “the kindest, loveliest person.” He expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the clinic and the holiday provider during Karen’s illness. The initial death certificate issued by Cape Verde authorities cited multi-organ failure, sepsis, and a broken leg as contributing factors to her death.
The other two British nationals who died in recent years include Jane Pressley, 62, who passed away in January 2023 after falling ill in November 2022, and an unnamed man in his sixties from Watford, who died in November 2024.
Jatinder Paul, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, remarked on the alarming number of tourists suffering from serious gastric illnesses in Cape Verde. He noted that the frequency and scale of these outbreaks at the same resorts are unprecedented.
Tui’s Response
In light of these developments, Tui has stated that they are unable to comment on the specifics of the cases due to the ongoing legal proceedings. However, they affirmed their commitment to investigating the claims thoroughly. The holiday provider has facilitated trips for over a million people to Cape Verde since 2022 and has offered support to customers reporting health issues.
Why it Matters
These tragic events underscore the critical importance of health and safety standards in the tourism industry. As more families seek justice for their loved ones, it raises significant questions about the accountability of holiday providers and the measures they take to ensure their guests’ well-being. The situation calls for a thorough examination of health protocols at holiday resorts, particularly in regions experiencing notable outbreaks of illness.
