Hundreds Of Families Continue To Contact Lawyers After Falling Ill At Hotels In Cape Verde

A family of three are among a new group of tourists to instruct lawyers after being struck down with gastric illness while on holiday in Cape Verde.

Natalie Hind, 42, partner Nathan Smith, 38 and Natalie’s son, Sonny Flemming, 12 were struck down with gastric symptoms and bed bug bites two days into a week-long stay at the Riu Funana Hotel, on Sal, which is one of the Cape Verde islands. The holiday, between 23 and 30 May, 2024, was booked through tour operator TUI UK Limited.

Mum Natalie fell ill with gastric symptoms, including stomach cramps, sickness and diarrhoea, and then experienced significant itching from bed bug bites. She has been forced to see her GP on returning to the UK, who said her ongoing illness and joint pain could be a sign of continuing stomach infection.

Bradford family call on lawyers to investigate illness in Cape Verde

Natalie, from West Bowling and Nathan, from Swain House, Bradford, have now instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the family’s illness.

Hundreds of holidaymakers instruct lawyers following illness at Cape Verde hotels

The family are the latest UK holidaymakers who have instructed Irwin Mitchell following stays in Cape Verde, including the same hotel. More than 20 people have approached Irwin Mitchell after staying at Riu Funana Hotel in 2023. In 2022 more than 170 holidaymakers have come forward to take legal action after falling ill at the same hotel and hundreds other holidaymakers have instructed the firm following illness at other Cape Verde hotels in 2022, including over 300 holidaymakers who fell ill at the Riu Palace Santa Maria, another hotel on the Sal island. Their cases are ongoing.

Jatinder Paul is the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting the family.

Expert Opinion

“The account of this holiday in Cape Verde from Natalie and Nathan is deeply concerning and mirrors a lot of previous reports we’ve received from those struck down by illnesses at this resort over the last few years. We’ve supported hundreds of clients who stayed at this hotel in recent years and this latest account indicates that holidaymakers are continuing to fall ill.

“The sheer number of clients coming forward from this and other hotels in Cape Verde is really a cause for concern and the numbers look set to grow again if this trend of sickness continues.

“The family, along with our other clients have many questions over how they came to fall so ill and why limited action appears to have been taken in the wake of so many people falling sick previously. Natalie remains ill and they are concerned that if nothing is done others will suffer as they have.

“The family are sure others were struck down with bites and illnesses and in investigating this latest incident, we would be interested in hearing from anyone else who stayed at the same hotel and have experienced illness.” Jatinder Paul

Nathan, Natalie and Sonny all fall ill within days of each other

Nathan, a self-employed welder, fell ill with symptoms around three days into their holiday. He was concerned when he also appeared to be passing a lot of blood in addition to his other symptoms.

A day later, Natalie, a service coordinator for a mental health charity was also stuck down with severe symptoms.

Bed bug bites leave scarring across Sonny’s body

Sonny also fell ill and suffered far more than his parents from bed bug bites and was left with headaches and lethargy. The bites have left scarring across Sonny’s body and he was taken to a medical centre on return to the UK. He was given an epipen and antihistamines due to the severity of the reaction to the bites.

Natalie and Nathan consulted their GP on return to the UK, as they continue to be ill and have missed time off work due to their illnesses. Both are awaiting the results of tests.

The family complained to hotel staff and the TUI rep during their stay. They moved rooms three times, with each worse than the last, they said. They had many concerns over the cleanliness of the hotel and food preparation. They said food was often served uncovered, dirty utensils were frequently used and there were stray cats, mosquitoes and cockroaches around the hotel.

Natalie said, “Our stay at this hotel was the worst experience of our lives.

“We told the restaurant Sonny had a shellfish allergy and when he went to get a chicken dish, we were shocked to find seafood being cooked in the same pan as other dishes. We pointed this out and were told to sit down. On complaining to reception, they said they didn’t understand us.

“Our room was awful and we all had a couple of bites from the first night. It was only later a nurse who was staying pointed out they were bed bug bites. She changed rooms and we did the same.

“We showed the TUI rep these disgusting bites and she got us moved. We opened the door to a room covered in stains, with dirty towels and plates everywhere and a sanitary pad on the floor. We couldn’t believe it. We took pictures and showed them to reception, who moved us again.

“It was an awful experience and we were relieved when the third room looked clean. There appeared to be noises coming from the bathroom and on entering, the ceiling was crawling with cockroaches.

“Our stay was a week-long horror story and we spoke to many others who had similar stories to tell. We’ve seen so many groups of people online saying they’ve had a similar experience.

“TUI must be aware of what is going on and we have a right to some answers. I shudder to think other families might be going there, completely unaware.”

Find out more about our expertise in helping holidaymakers and their families affected by serious illnesses at our dedicated illness abroad section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0808 291 1468.