Cape Verde deaths 'hits 8 Brits' as 1,700 join legal action on TUI over holiday illness

Cape Verde deaths 'hits 8 Brits' as 1,700 join legal action on TUI over holiday illnessIrwin Mitchell, which is representing claimants, has said increasing numbers of people are joining its personal injury claim against Tui following a spate of Cape Verde infectionsNewsLiam Doyle09:00, 07 Apr 2026View 4 ImagesThe family of Karen Pooley (right) have been left furious with Tui following the 64-year-old's death(Image: PA)Nearly 2,000 Brits who fell ill after contracting suspected stomach bugs during holidays have joined mounting legal action against travel firm TUI.‌Law firm Irwin Mitchell said more than 1,700 people have now joined its personal injury claim against the company after they fell ill during holidays to the Cape Verde Islands. Among them, the firm said, were people who believe they had contracted a stomach bug in the West African archipelago as recently as two weeks ago.‌Irwin Mitchell lawyers have said they believe up to eight Brits died after they contracted suspected viruses like Salmonella and bacteria during holidays there in recent years.‌READ MORE: Family fear mum who died on Cape Verde flight home 'may be next stomach bug victim'READ MORE: Foreign Office alert for 13 countries as study shows 'higher odds of becoming a case' - full listView 4 ImagesCape Verde, a former Portuguese colony, is known for its picturesque views and stunning beaches(Image: AFP via Getty Images)Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Irwin Mitchell solicitor Jatinder Paul said he had never seen "a case this large" during his many years of work. He said: "In all my years of doing this work, I have not seen a case this large and unfortunately so many that have died as a result of the illnesses."We are pursuing all of our cases against TUI. They had a responsibility in taking our clients away on a package holiday which was not going to cause them any illness. Unfortunately it was the opposite of that."‌Mr Paul warned that the case...