A man in his 50s has died after falling ill during a week-long stay at the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria on the island of Sal, becoming the seventh British tourist to die in Cape Verde following gastric illness since 2023
Paige Ingram Multimedia Journalist, Oliver Radcliffe Live News Reporter and Elizabeth Hunter
08:50, 30 Mar 2026Updated 08:51, 30 Mar 2026
Another Brit abroad in Cape Verde has died after falling sick(Image: Nicolas Sanchez-Biezma via Getty Images)
A man has become the seventh British tourist to die in Cape Verde in the space of three years, following a severe gastric illness.
The man, who was in his 50s, passed away after a week-long stay at the five-star Riu Palace Santa Maria hotel on the island of Sal. He is the seventh British national since January 2023 to lose his life after falling critically ill in the country.
This latest tragedy follows the deaths of Jane Pressley, 62, from Gainsborough, and Mark Ashley, 55, from Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, who died in January 2023 and November 2025 respectively, both having holidayed at the Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria, Sal. Karen Pooley, 64, from Lydney, Gloucestershire, also died in October after falling ill and sustaining a broken leg while staying at the Riu Funana resort in Sal.
The latest victim’s wife, who has asked to remain anonymous, revealed that following his initial illness, her husband endured symptoms for 12 weeks before ultimately suffering multi-organ failure and dying. The family departed on August 11 last year for a week-long all-inclusive break, spending in excess of £6,000, reports the Mirror.
Just two days into the holiday, which was booked through tour operator TUI, the father-of-two and step-father-of-two began experiencing symptoms including diarrhoea, severe abdominal cramps, and vomiting, which persisted throughout the remainder of the trip. The man, who was already immunosuppressed, continued to experience symptoms after returning home. His condition rapidly worsened in October 2025, and following hospital admission, his health deteriorated further. He passed away on November 2, 2025.
The seven deaths have come in the last three years(Image: Wirestock via Getty Images)
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The man’s wife, who is in her 40s, said: “We’d been to the resort the year before to celebrate my husband’s retirement and enjoyed it so much we booked again to return. However, as soon as we arrived the second time, we couldn’t believe how much it appeared to have changed from our previous holiday.
“We didn’t expect the poor standards we experienced, especially for the money we paid. When my husband fell ill, he tried to continue but the holiday was ruined.
“Even more worrying was how his symptoms continued to persist once we got home. He tried to carry on but it was obvious he wasn’t himself and was still suffering. We’re still in complete shock over his death. My husband was my soulmate and an absolutely wonderful, loving and caring dad.
“We never imagined that going on what we thought would be an enjoyable holiday would lead to such traumatic events unfolding.
“I’d do anything to turn the clock back, but I know nothing can undo what’s happened and how our family will never be the same again. However, I wouldn’t want anyone else to suffer the same experience. People need to be aware of the issues hundreds of holidaymakers to Cape Verde are facing.” Specialist solicitors at Irwin Mitchell are now representing the family, from County Durham, along with the relatives of seven other holidaymakers. In total, the legal team has been instructed by more than 1,700 British tourists who visited Cape Verde and fell ill since 2022.
This latest development follows confirmation by Cape Verde authorities of illness cases and the detection of shigella bacteria in irrigation water and fresh food on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. Authorities recently launched an investigation after receiving reports of suspected gastroenteritis amongst European tourists visiting Sal and Boa Vista.
The public health investigation carried out by Cape Verde authorities is understood to have involved the analysis of 156 samples, taken from drinking water, fresh food, food-handling surfaces, food handlers, irrigation water and medical samples.
Bacteria was discovered in water samples used to irrigate fresh produce. While officials acknowledged that some tourists may have been infected, they stated that positive samples fell within surveillance parameters and therefore did not constitute a full illness outbreak.
Bacteria was discovered in samples taken from the island(Image: Pierre Moussart via Getty Images)
Following the identification of the bacteria, authorities issued guidance to businesses, including strengthening disinfection procedures for fresh produce throughout the production, import and distribution chain, as well as stepping up inspection activities.
Jatinder Paul, the specialist international serious injury solicitor at Irwin Mitchell heading the team acting on behalf of affected families, said: “We continue to be contacted by hundreds more people reporting all too familiar and worrying first-hand accounts of how their holidays have been ruined by serious illness.
“While our focus remains on establishing the full facts of how these holidaymakers fell ill, this latest development is of great concern.
“Shigella is highly contagious. Eating or drinking contaminated food or water is one of the most common ways of transmitting the infection, and only a small number of bacteria is required to cause infection.
“We’d urge those planning on travelling to Cape Verde over the coming weeks and months to ensure they eat fully cooked, steaming hot meals, always select fruits they can peel and avoid raw vegetables and salads.
“While it’s too late for those who have already suffered life-changing consequences following illness linked to holidays, it’s vital that tour operators – who are responsible for ensuring the safety of those who have booked all-inclusive package holidays – and authorities get on top of the reported hygiene issues on the islands.
“Those affected by illness shouldn’t feel pressured into accepting early settlement offer from tour operators without understanding their full legal rights. We strongly advise seeking independent legal advice.
“The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed as symptoms can lead to life-long and debilitating complications and even death.”
