Houghton Regis dad dies after falling ill in Cape Verde

Irwin Mitchell solicitors are looking into why 55-year-old Mark Ashley died after falling ill on an all-inclusive break in the West African country.

The self-employed forklift truck driver had travelled with his wife, Emma, to the five‑star Riu Palace Santa Maria resort in Sal, on October 3, 2025.

Their two‑week holiday, booked through Luton-based TUI UK, cost just under £3,500.

But three days into their holiday, Mark began suffering severe stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and extreme lethargy, say solicitors.

Emma says the couple, who had been married for 26 years, had not eaten outside the resort or gone on any excursions before he fell ill.

And she says reported her husband’s illness via the TUI app on October 9 but “received no meaningful assistance” – while Mark spent the majority of their time away in their room.

He was one of four British holidaymakers who died within four months of contracting severe stomach bugs while on trips to Cape Verde, whose families now pursuing legal action.

And the four are among six Britons who have died following holidays to the islands since January 2023, according to law firm Irwin Mitchell.

Mark’s symptoms lasted for weeks, even after they came back to Houghton Regis.

Emma said: “We went to Cape Verde expecting a relaxing break, but Mark became violently ill and never recovered. It was clear to see he wasn’t himself, but despite being so unwell for weeks he tried to keep going to provide for his family.”

The dad-of-two collapsed at their home on November 12 and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead minutes later.

Emma said: “We’re in complete shock over Mark’s death. Mark was the most loving and caring husband and dad anyone could wish for. He was hard-working, vibrant, popular and the head of our family.

“Mark was in good health before our holiday and we’re still struggling to comprehend what happened to him. The last couple of months have been unbearable, and our family will never be the same again.

“Mark’s illness wasn’t an isolated incident, and we deserve answers about what happened to him.”

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is now representing more than 1,500 British holidaymakers who have been ill after holidays in Cape Verde since 2022, including the families of the six people who have died.

TUI UK has been approached for comment, but had not responded by our deadline.

Jatinder Paul, an international serious injury lawyer representing the families, said: “The number of holidaymakers to Cape Verde being struck down with serious and debilitating gastric illnesses is truly staggering. Nothing brings the gravity of this situation into sharper focus than these recent deaths.

“In my experience, I’m used to supporting holidaymakers who have fallen ill at resorts across the globe, but I’ve never seen repeated and continued illness outbreaks at the same resorts on such a scale over such a period of time.

“It’s almost incomprehensible that holidaymakers continue to describe the hygiene issues at these Cape Verde hotels year-after-year. Each case isn’t a statistic; it’s a human story of how lives have been turned upside down.”