Imagine a tropical paradise, with its sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, a place that attracts millions of visitors each year. But beneath this idyllic facade, a darker story unfolds, one that has left many tourists questioning the safety of their dream vacations.
A Paradise in Peril: The Troubling Truth Behind Cape Verde's Tourist Troubles
Cape Verde, a stunning archipelago off the coast of West Africa, has become a popular winter sun destination, especially for British travelers. However, recent events have cast a shadow over this once-idyllic getaway. With a series of tragic deaths and a massive lawsuit involving 1,700 people, questions are being raised about the safety of this seemingly picturesque nation.
In the past year, four British holidaymakers lost their lives, and hundreds more fell ill with severe stomach ailments. Mark Ashley, Elena Walsh, Karen Pooley, and an unnamed man from Watford, all in their 50s and 60s, passed away within a few months of each other after contracting serious gastric illnesses while on the island. Their families, alongside hundreds of others, have now taken legal action, claiming personal injury.
But what caused these outbreaks? While the local government holds talks with hoteliers, the exact causes remain a mystery. Tourists who have spoken to The Sun point to rancid buffets, poor hotel conditions, and the country's underdeveloped healthcare system as potential factors.
The Holiday Nightmare: A Tale of Illness and Neglect
For those eagerly awaiting their half-term getaways, the question looms: is it safe to holiday in Cape Verde? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified a concerning number of bacterial infections, including 118 cases of shigella and 43 of salmonella, linked to trips to the country since October 1.
The Sun has revealed that water supply issues have plagued the islands for months, with broken treatment plants and storm damage to blame. Visitors who fell ill reported diarrhea and sickness within days of arrival, often after eating at shared buffets infested with flies.
Unlike more developed tourist destinations like Tenerife and Portugal, Cape Verde, where a quarter of the population lives in poverty, has a basic healthcare system. Many tourists described long waits at local clinics and hospitals, only to be given a drip and hydration tablets, with little else in the way of treatment.
A 'Holiday from Hell': One Woman's Story
Beauty therapist Elizabeth Sutton, 49, played a key role in uniting families for legal action after her disastrous holiday in September 2022. She and her mother, Patricia Reid, initially delighted in their breathtaking sea view at the Hotel Rui Palace on Sal Island. But their joy turned to horror when Elizabeth fell ill within two days, suffering violent diarrhea and vomiting.
After two visits to the local clinic in Sal, both women ended up spending almost three weeks on the island, paying around £6,000 to switch hotels on top of their initial booking fee of £3,000. Elizabeth also contracted Covid, which she believes she caught at the 'dirty' clinic. She described the awful smell of sulphur in their room, so strong that it made the assistant manager vomit when he flushed the toilet.
A Series of Tragic Deaths
Since January 2023, six Brits have died either on Cape Verde or shortly after returning home, according to law firm Irwin Mitchell. The first was Jane Pressley, 62, who fell seriously ill while staying at the Riu Palace Hotel in Santa Maria on Sal. Her illness continued upon her return home, and she passed away in January 2023.
Most of the victims had underlying health conditions, but these were manageable. Elena Walsh's family shared a heartbreaking story of how she screamed in agony after doctors mistakenly diagnosed her with appendicitis and attempted to remove her healthy organ in a hospital on Sal. Elena, who had traveled with her family on a TUI package deal, contracted a bug shortly after arriving. Her husband, Patrick, tearfully described how she was 'crying out in pain' before suffering a heart attack and never regaining consciousness.
Cape Verde was hit by Hurricane Erin in August, which damaged water and sanitation infrastructure, limiting the production of clean water. The World Health Organization warned of a greater risk of disease from contaminated water, a warning that sadly came true.
The Impact of Poor Infrastructure
Zoe Adjey, a senior lecturer at the University of East London's Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, warned that people are risking their health by visiting countries with poor infrastructure. She explained that Cape Verde, with its enchanting beauty, lacks the necessary support systems, leading to tragic outcomes. While tourism now makes up 25% of Cape Verde's economy, travelers with underlying health conditions face a different reality there compared to Britain.
The Foreign Office warned tourists about an outbreak of shigella on December 15. Irwin Mitchell is handling claims involving 10 hotels across the islands, including the Riu Palace Boavista, Riu Palace Santa Maria, and others. Claimants like Nicky Alan, who went to celebrate her partner's cancer all-clear, described being 'prisoners in their own room' at the Riu Palace in Santa Maria, left shaking and severely dehydrated.
Nicky blamed poor food hygiene, describing the buffet as infested with flies and the food feeling raw. She and her partner, Darren, who later died of a heart attack, were both throwing up constantly. Nicky recalled a young female cleaner in a white hazmat suit, like something from a murder scene, which made her question the hotel's preparedness.
Sharon Stonebank, who also stayed at the Rui Palace, described the local clinic as 'filthy', looking like a scene from the Exorcist. Like many others, she was given gastro and hydration meds, but the experience left her 'delirious'.
A Complex Investigation
A health source suggested that contaminated water, used in cooking and to wash salad, could be at the heart of the outbreaks. Pinpointing the exact cause is likely to be a long and complex investigation.
For the grieving families, the search for answers continues, and the impact of these tragic events on Cape Verde's tourism industry remains to be seen.
