Luxury Vacation Turns Deadly as ‘Stomach Bug’ Kills at Least 6 Tourists at Popular Destination

At least six British tourists have died after contracting a dangerous stomach infection while vacationing in Cape Verde, according to reports, as a major outbreak sickens thousands of travelers and sparks legal action against tour operators and resorts.

Health officials say a highly contagious bacterial illness known as shigella has spread across the popular West African island chain, overwhelming local hospitals and leaving some facilities described as resembling a “war zone.” In just the past three months, four British tourists are reported to have died after falling ill while staying at resorts in Cape Verde.

More than 1,500 UK travelers have now hired lawyers after becoming sick on trips booked through tour operator TUI. Among them are families of six people who died following all-inclusive vacations on the islands.

One of the victims was 55-year-old Mark Ashley, a father of two from Bedfordshire. Ashley became violently ill just three days into a two-week stay in October at the RIU Palace Santa Maria resort on the island of Sal. He suffered severe stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, according to his family.

Weeks after returning home, Ashley collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His wife, Emma, said the family was left in “complete shock” and is demanding answers about how their $3,000 vacation turned fatal. She described conditions at the resort as troubling, claiming food was often lukewarm, sanitation appeared poor, and drinking water was stored outside in the sun.

Emma said she reported her husband’s illness through TUI’s app but received no meaningful assistance. Investigations into Ashley’s death are ongoing and have been referred to a coroner.

Another victim, 54-year-old Karen Pooley, became ill while staying at the RIU Funana resort on Sal in October. The mother of two also broke her leg after slipping on water at the hotel and was transferred to a local clinic. Her condition worsened, and she died five days after being airlifted to intensive care in Tenerife. Her cause of death was listed as multi-organ failure, sepsis, cardiac arrest, and a broken leg.

Her husband, Andy, said the family was “utterly heartbroken” and criticized both the medical care his wife received and what he described as poor communication from TUI.

Two other British tourists — 64-year-old Elena Walsh from Birmingham and an unnamed 54-year-old man — also died in Cape Verde during the same period. All were staying at resorts operated by Spanish hotel chain RIU and had underlying but manageable health conditions, according to lawyers representing their families.

Shigella is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food, water, or person-to-person contact involving fecal matter. While it often clears on its own, it can be extremely dangerous for older adults and people with preexisting conditions.

The UK Health Security Agency reported 137 shigella cases between October and December, with roughly 80 percent involving travelers who had recently returned from Cape Verde. The outbreak has prompted warnings from the UK Foreign Office, and officials note the islands experienced a similar outbreak in 2022.

Jatinder Paul, a lawyer with Irwin Mitchell representing affected families, called the scale of the outbreak “truly staggering,” emphasizing that each case represents a life permanently changed or lost.

RIU Hotels & Resorts said local authorities have identified critical issues including standing water and pest control and that the company is working with government and health officials to improve conditions.

A spokesperson for TUI said customer safety remains a top priority and that the company follows Foreign Office guidance while conducting investigations in cooperation with hotel partners and authorities.

As investigations continue, families are still seeking answers — and accountability — after what were supposed to be relaxing vacations ended in tragedy.