Holiday Giant Sued Over Cape Verde Sickness Outbreak

More than 1,700 people have joined legal action against TUI after reporting illnesses linked to holidays in Cape Verde, according to legal representatives involved in the case. The claims relate to gastric infections that clients say they contracted while travelling in the archipelago, with some reported illnesses occurring as recently as two weeks before the reports. The legal action also comes amid reports of at least eight fatalities among British travellers to Cape Verde in recent years.

 

Lawyers representing claimants said their clients described a range of stomach-related infections, including E. coli, salmonella, shigella, and cryptosporidium. They said the reported cases span multiple age groups, including young children. The legal action is focused on alleged illness during package holidays, and the number of participants indicates a large pool of complainants seeking compensation.

 

UK health officials issued a warning in February about travel to Cape Verde following an increase in reported stomach bugs. Officials said an investigation identified 112 cases of shigella and 43 cases of salmonella linked to travel to the region since October 2025. The warning and the case counts add an official public-health dimension to the dispute, alongside the private legal claims.

 

TUI said it is investigating the claims. The company also stated that it does not yet have access to a full health report on Cape Verde, indicating that it is still seeking information relevant to the allegations. The company’s position leaves key questions unresolved, including the extent to which any specific hotels, suppliers, or local conditions may be connected to the reported illnesses.

 

The dispute carries potential financial consequences. Legal representatives said the action could lead to significant damages if an amicable settlement is not reached. With a large number of claimants and reported severe outcomes, the case could become a notable test of how travel operators handle health-related complaints tied to destinations that remain popular with international tourists.