"Undercooked and recycled food, a strong smell of sewage and flies everywhere".
That's how one County Durham couple described their "luxury" trip to Cape Verde this year, which turned out to be "the worst holiday [they] have ever been on" after joining hundreds of holidaymakers who reported falling ill during their visit to the islands this summer.
Anthony Hoban and his wife Lesley jetted off on a 10-day break to Cape Verde's Riu Funana hotel, situated off the coast of West Africa, on September 7. But on September 12 they both claim to have started suffering from gastric symptoms, including stomach pains, sickness and diarrhoea.
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Today they have spoken about their experiences after joining more than 530 British holidaymakers who have instructed lawyers to investigate after also being struck down with gastric illnesses during their holiday. As with others who stayed at the hotel, Anthony, 66, and Lesley, 61, reported what looked like undercooked food, that they believed was being recycled for other meals and the flies that appeared to be everywhere.
Anthony, from Consett, said: "The flies seemed to be everywhere, with no real attempt to do anything about it and after a few days, we started to notice the food becoming a bit too repetitive and what had been out for lunch appeared to have been just recycled for dinner. There were also birds pecking at the food on the tables in the buffet.
"This is not what you expect from what we thought was going to be a luxury break and both of us were so ill, it ruined a holiday we had so much been looking forward to. We asked the rep in the hotel for help and they just told us to stay hydrated and it seemed they didn’t really care much about what was happening.
"The pool was filthy and a square building to the side of it reeked of sewage and left you feeling constantly nauseous. No one should expect this when they go away and the least we deserve is answers as to how this was allowed to happen and people fall ill with nothing being done."
Anthony also claims that the bathroom in the couple's hotel room contained cracked tiles and the towels supplied were "threadbare and contained holes". He added: "This was meant to be a luxury break abroad but is without doubt the worst holiday we have ever been on."
Upon returning to the UK, Anthony and Lesley joined hundreds of holidaymakers who have instructed specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate.
Irwin Mitchell said that many of those who got in touch with the lawyers have tested positive for a number of serious bacterial pathogens including Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella and E.coli. The firm has vast experience of successfully representing many thousands of holidaymakers who have suffered serious illness or injury abroad over the last decade.
Irwin Mitchell said that everyone who contacted them to investigate had been on holidays booked through tour operator TUI, staying across seven hotels in the Sal area of Cape Verde. The hotels were: Riu Palace Santa Maria, Riu Cabo Verde, Riu Palace Boavista, Riu Funana, TUI Blue Cabo Verde, the Sol Dunas and the Melia Dunas.
Many holidaymakers have questioned why they were allowed to stay at their hotels when it was reported that others had already fallen ill. Irwin Mitchell claims that in some cases, symptoms were so severe that many were forced to visit the local hospital in Cape Verde and had to cancel excursions booked as part of what was, for many, intended to be a special all-inclusive five star 'holiday of a lifetime' or a dream newlyweds honeymoon.
Jatinder Paul, leading the team of specialist international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell supporting those affected, said: "We are supporting more than 500 people, including more than 200 people who stayed at the Riu Palace Santa Maria alone, who at best had their holiday ruined and at worst had their health seriously affected following stays in the Sal area of Cape Verde.
"That so many should have been affected at these hotels, in the same region under the same tour operator, has left the people we are representing with a lot of questions over what happened to them this summer and we’re determined to help them find the answers.
"Bacterial illnesses such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella and E.coli are serious and should never be underestimated. They can cause long-term health issues for the most vulnerable, and even death. The fact some still remain ill several months after their return is very concerning.
"Some have chosen to share their stories to highlight the questions they have, not least over why some people continued to be sent to the resorts as late as October of this year, when the numbers involved would suggest that something was very wrong as early as May of this year.
"If the causes are identified, then it is vital that lessons are learned to ensure no other holidaymakers are left with debilitating illnesses, and we hope to work with TUI to resolve the claims amicably.
"The sheer number of people who continue to approach us on a daily basis is incredible, but as part of our investigations, we remain keen to hear from anyone else affected while staying at these hotels in Cape Verde."
A spokesperson for TUI said: "We are sorry to hear about these experiences in Cape Verde, however as this is now a legal matter it would be inappropriate to comment.
"We'd like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all of our hotels in respect to health and safety, including hygiene."
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