Third Time In Three Years UK Holidaymakers Have Instructed Lawyers After Illness at Same Hotel

Specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been instructed by another 12 tourists, who all stayed at the five-star Riu Palace Boavista Hotel on the island of Sal in Cape Verde between June and December 2024. All booked their holidays, costing as much as over £4,000.00 via tour operator TUI.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell fear the latest cases indicate a fresh wave of illness on the island.  It is the third time in three years holidaymakers staying at Riu Palace Boavista have instructed Irwin Mitchell secure answers regarding serious bacterial infections such as Salmonella, E.coli and Shigella.

Legal experts represent more than 1,400 clients who have fallen ill across Cape Verde

The legal experts are representing over 60 holidaymakers who fell ill in either 2022 or 2023 and they currently represents more than 1,400 clients in total who have fallen ill at several hotels across Cape Verde over the last three years.

Jennifer Hodgson is the specialist international serious injury lawyer supporting the holidaymakers.

Expert Opinion

“The sheer number of cases we’ve seen of people falling ill in Cape Verde is staggering.

“Many of our clients, including children, report very similar experiences and symptoms that have left them seriously ill. Some continue to suffer from the effects, often months after returning home, impacting their jobs, their education and their social lives.

“Our clients understandably have many questions over how they were so ill from debilitating symptoms and how British holidaymakers continue to be sent to the same resorts when lessons from past outbreaks don’t appear to have been learned.

“Steps need to be taken to reduce the health risk to other holidaymakers going forward. As part of our own investigations, we would be interested in hearing from anyone else who stayed at the hotel at the same time as this group.” Jennifer Hodgson

Holiday illness: Cheltenham holidaymaker’s ruined birthday celebrations

Catherine Turton, 60, a semi-retired vet, booked to stay at the Riu Palace Boavista along with her partner on 3 December 2024 for a week long holiday in celebration of her 60^th birthday having previously visited the hotel and surrounding area.

Catherine fell ill on the last night of the holiday she was preparing to return home the following day. She managed to pack her belongings before the symptoms started and then tried to keep hydrated and manage the symptoms as best as she could for the journey home. Once home she ended up bed bound due to the severity of her symptoms.

She expressed concerns about the food compared to previous trips noting that the hot food seemed cold and on one occasion the grilled salmon in the a-la-carte steakhouse was not as hot as she expected it to be.

Catherine seeks answers over her illness

Catherine said “This was meant to be a special break to celebrate my 60^th birthday, I was looking forward to a week of winter sun and great food. I thought I knew what to expect having visited the hotel before but it was clear during the holiday that standards had slipped.

I was so unwell during the journey home and all I could think about was that I needed to get home. I ended up unwell in bed for three days and I was so unwell. What was meant to be a holiday making memories and celebrating my birthday was ruined and all I remember when I look back is the illness.

I think we just deserve answers. Since returning home, we’ve learned I wasn’t alone in falling ill and that there appears to be a history of this at this resort.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting holidaymakers struck down by serious injury abroad at our dedicated illness abroad section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.