A chilling pattern has emerged: four British holidaymakers have tragically lost their lives within a mere four months after falling victim to severe stomach bugs while vacationing in Cape Verde. This devastating news, shared by legal representatives for the affected families, paints a grim picture of a holiday destination that may be hiding a serious health hazard.
The victims, identified as Mark Ashley, 55, from Bedfordshire; Elena Walsh, 64, from Birmingham; Karen Pooley, 64, from Gloucestershire; and an unnamed 56-year-old man, all succumbed to their illnesses last year. These four are part of a larger group of six Britons who have tragically passed away after trips to the islands since January 2023. Law firm Irwin Mitchell, representing the families, has confirmed that investigations into these deaths are actively underway.
Emma Ashley, wife of Mark Ashley, described her family's state as being in 'complete shock' following her husband's untimely demise. Just three days into their October holiday, Mark began experiencing a terrifying array of symptoms: severe stomach pain, debilitating diarrhea, relentless vomiting, fever, and extreme lethargy. The law firm, Irwin Mitchell, is not only representing the families of those who have died but also over 1,500 individuals who have reported falling ill after visiting the archipelago, located off the western coast of Africa.
Emma Ashley recounted how their £3,000-plus holiday was booked through Tui. She expressed her deep concerns about the hygiene standards at the resort where they stayed on Sal, one of the islands. Her husband's distressing symptoms persisted even after their return home. Tragically, Mark, who had managed diabetes with medication, collapsed at their home in Houghton Regis and was rushed to the hospital on November 12th, where he was pronounced dead within minutes. His death has since been referred to the coroner.
But here's where it gets even more heartbreaking...
Elena Walsh, a dedicated part-time nurse and mother, passed away in August 2025 after becoming ill at the Riu Cabo Verde resort on Sal. Similarly, Karen Pooley, from Lydney, embarked on a two-week £3,000 holiday to the Riu Funana resort on Sal with a friend, also booked through Tui. Her holiday took a horrific turn on October 11th when she developed gastric symptoms, including diarrhea. The following day, while heading to the bathroom, she tragically slipped on water leaking from a fridge, fracturing her femur. Over the next four days, she endured continued diarrhea and vomiting, compounded by the severe pain from her broken leg. She was airlifted to Tenerife for urgent medical attention on October 16th and sadly passed away in the early hours of the next morning, according to her lawyers.
Her devastated husband, Andy, 62, shared, "We're utterly heartbroken." He described his wife as being in "significant distress" during their video calls and criticized the poor communication from the clinic and their holiday provider. "We're devastated and struggling to understand how she went on holiday and never came home," he added.
And this is the part most people miss...
Karen Pooley's initial death certificate, issued by Cape Verdean authorities, cited multi-organ failure, sepsis, cardio-respiratory arrest, and a broken left leg as the causes of death. Further details regarding the 56-year-old man who also died have not been released by the law firm. The other two Britons who have died since 2023 include Jane Pressley, 62, from Gainsborough, who passed away in January three years ago after falling ill at the Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, Sal, the previous November. A man in his 60s from Watford, whose name has not been disclosed by the law firm, died in November 2024 following a gastric illness after a trip to Cape Verde.
Jatinder Paul, a serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, expressed his deep concern: "The number of holidaymakers to Cape Verde being struck down with serious and debilitating gastric illnesses is truly staggering. I've never seen repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time."
Could this be a widespread issue affecting multiple resorts, or are these isolated incidents? What steps should holiday providers take to ensure the safety and well-being of their clients in such circumstances? Tui has been contacted for comment on these deeply concerning reports.
