More than 1,700 British tourists have joined a legal action against travel giant TUI following a shocking outbreak of serious illness linked to holidays in the Cape Verde islands — with lawyers now confirming that at least eight Britons are believed to have died in connection with the trips.
The mass legal action, being led by solicitors Irwin Mitchell, was presented before the High Court in February 2026, with Judge Master Mark Gidden ordering a six-week trial to take place at the end of 2027. Claimants have reported contracting severe gastric illnesses including E. coli, salmonella, shigella and the parasitic infection cryptosporidium during their stays.
Jane Pressley, 62, from Gainsborough, died two months after falling ill in Cape Verde. Since then, five more Britons have died, with the families taking legal action.
— Hits Radio Lincolnshire News (@HitsLincsNews) February 4, 2026
What went wrong in Cape Verde?
The BBC reviewed footage from inside several hotels in Cape Verde that paints a deeply troubling picture: undercooked food at buffets, fly infestations in dining areas, and mould inside guest rooms. UK health officials had already issued a warning to Britons considering travel to the West African archipelago back in February, prompted by a wave of reports from returning holidaymakers.
Irwin Mitchell says it is still being contacted by new claimants who fell ill as recently as two weeks ago, suggesting the problem has not been fully resolved. Lawyers from Canada and Australia have also now joined the cross-jurisdictional effort, making this one of the largest travel health lawsuits in recent years.
TUI’s position
TUI has said it is investigating the claims but is not yet in a position to issue a formal statement. The company has also said it has not yet obtained access to the complete health report for Cape Verde, which remains unpublished by local authorities. The travel firm’s response has been criticised as insufficient given the scale of the reported harm.
What should affected holidaymakers do?
Anyone who believes they became ill during a TUI holiday to Cape Verde is urged to contact Irwin Mitchell, who are continuing to take on new clients. Legal experts say that even those who fell ill months ago may still have grounds to join the action, and documentation of symptoms — including medical records — will significantly strengthen any claim.
This is a story that is far from over. With over 1,700 people already signed up and the number still growing, TUI faces what could be one of the most damaging legal battles in the history of the UK travel industry.
Written by
Elle Diaz
Elle Diaz is a freelance journalist and fitness model based in the UK. With a background in health, wellness, and popular culture, she covers the stories people are actually talking about — from viral trends and celebrity news to science, lifestyle, and human interest. Elle brings a sharp, relatable voice to every piece she writes.
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