A Bury woman is among more than 200 UK holidaymakers who are taking legal action after being struck down with illnesses on TUI breaks in Cape Verde - bringing the total number to in excess of 1,100. Lawyers are now representing 1,107 people who were struck down with serious gastric illnesses at luxury hotels on the African island in the last three years. Hundreds were left hospitalised as a result of their symptoms after their five star breaks turned into "holidays from hell" - and include children as young as three.
Illnesses include E.coli, salmonella and the bacterial infection shigella which can have a long-standing impact on the bowel, and can even prove to be fatal. All of the 1,107 booked their holidays through the tour operator TUI.
The new group to seek legal action includes 40 tourists who fell ill during and following stays at Riu Palace Santa Maria in Sal, Cape Verde, this year. Eleven were hospitalised and the hotel is the place where most people have fallen ill with 396 holidaymakers, including 63 this year, coming forward. Meanwhile, Riu Funana is second with 218 cases,18 this year.
Riu Cabo Verde has seen 192 cases - 56 in 2024 - since 2022. Sarah Tootell, from Bury, has asked Irwin Mitchell lawyers to investigate her illness. The 44-year-old mum travelled to Cape Verde on May 8 for a week-long stay with her nine-year-old daughter, Halle.
Having lost her husband more than six years ago, the trip was the first time Sarah travelled alone with her daughter and wa.
