Couple on honeymoon part of ‘1,400 others’ who fell ill at popular holiday destination

A honeymooning couple’s dream trip turned into a nightmare after they experienced food poisoning at an all-inclusive resort.

Liam Williams and Jade Churchill, both 27, were staying at the TUI Blue Cabo Verde, Cape Verde, when they came down with diarrhoea, fever and fatigue in October.

They said their hotel appeared to be ‘running low’ on vital supplies during the height of their illness. They say they waited over an hour for toilet rolls.

Liam was later forced to seek medical treatment in the UK when they finally made it back from their harrowing trip, which set them back £2,500.

The couple, from Taunton, Somerset, are now among over 1,400 claimants who have begun legal action after their disastrous holidays on the African island.

Liam, an assistant management accountant, said: ‘We both wanted to go to Cape Verde for our honeymoon and couldn’t wait to get away as we’ve had a busy few months.

‘But what was meant to be a dream break turned into a nightmare. We thought we wouldn’t have anything to worry about with a five-star hotel, but the eating area was a red flag with food visibly being reheated and served more than once.

‘Much of the food was uncovered and left out for long periods of time. The hotel appeared to be running low on food and drink at times, and we had to wait an hour for toilet roll when we were unwell,’ he added.

‘We wish we had booked somewhere else to honeymoon as it really didn’t get us off to a good start at married life.’

Jatinder Paul, from legal firm Irwin Mitchell, said the quantity of tourists being struck down by sickness on Cape Verde was ‘staggering’.

He said: ‘The number of people who have instructed us after falling ill at Cape Verde has reached more than 1,400, which is a staggering figure.

‘It’s also deeply worrying, and quite frankly unacceptable, that holidaymakers are continuing to be struck down with gastric illness at resorts that are classed as four or five-star.

‘Such symptoms can be extremely serious and lead to long-term health problems and complications, particularly in those diagnosed with infections such as E.coli.’

Robert Conners, 37, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, has also begun legal action after he holidayed at the five-star Riu Funana resort this June with his wife Katie and daughter Emilia.

Three days into the trip, which cost more than £2,000, he began suffering from severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and bloating, while also developing a burning and itchy rash all over his body.

On July 9, Robert was admitted to a hospital for two days due to an exacerbation in symptoms, including passing blood.

He was put on a drip for dehydration and diagnosed with shigella and E.coli, for which he was administered strong antibiotics.

Robert had to take three weeks off work and continues to be fearful of what he eats.

He said about his experience: ‘We’d saved for a long time to go to Cape Verde and we were so excited. But just a few days in, I was the most unwell I’ve ever been. At the start of my illness, I was having diarrhoea up to 30 times a day and I really didn’t know what was wrong with me.

‘Most of the holiday was ruined, and I starved myself before the flight home so I wasn’t spending all my time in the toilet on the plane. Once I was back home, it just got worse and I ended up in hospital.

‘To be told I had E.Coli and shigella was a huge shock but it explained why I had been feeling so awful. When I think back, I can recall the food was left uncovered at the buffet, and the meat and burgers always appeared undercooked.

‘The cleanliness of the hotel rooms also left a lot to be desired, and the toilets around the hotel were always full. I know I can’t change what happened but I’ve been struggling physically and emotionally, as well as financially due to not being able to work.’

TUI has been contacted for comment.

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