The family of a British woman who passed away while flying back from Cape Verde is concerned that she might be the eighth victim of an illness affecting the holiday destination. The 71-year-old mother of two suffered a cardiac arrest during her return flight to Gatwick two years ago. Her family recently discovered a diary she had kept documenting her illness shortly after her trip.
Following revelations earlier this year that four British tourists had died after falling ill on the islands, the family intensified their efforts to uncover whether her sickness played a role in her death. The woman’s daughters, who prefer to remain anonymous, shared with The Sunday Times that their father has been deeply affected by her passing. The couple had been married for almost 50 years, meeting when they were teenagers.
During a trip to Cape Verde in April 2024 with her 72-year-old husband, the woman began experiencing gastric issues shortly into their week-long vacation. Tragically, she suffered a cardiac arrest on the plane to Gatwick on May 3, passing away before arrival. Despite lodging a complaint with Tui, the company through which they booked their holiday, her family decided against pursuing legal action at the time.
A diary found among the woman’s belongings detailed her deteriorating health, mentioning substandard hotel conditions and the lack of basic amenities like running water. The entries described her escalating illness, highlighting issues with food quality and accommodation. The post-mortem examination revealed that she had an underlying heart condition, unbeknownst to her family due to her recent clean bill of health before the trip.
The family’s story adds to a growing concern about deaths linked to Cape Verde since 2022, with the possibility of up to eight fatalities. Several other families are seeking legal counsel to investigate similar tragedies. Reports indicate a significant number of shigellosis cases among European tourists visiting Cape Verde, with the UK reporting the highest positive tests.
Meliá Hotels International emphasized its commitment to guest safety, while Tui expressed condolences to the affected families and reiterated its dedication to customer health and well-being. The company stressed the importance of promptly reporting illness while on vacation to receive necessary support.
