Tests reveal E. coli at hotel where British couple died

A BRITISH couple who died on holiday in Egypt could have suffered food poisoning at their hotel, as Thomas Cook admitted “something went wrong”.

High levels of E. coli and staphylococcus bacteria were found at the fivestar Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

The tests were ordered by the travel firm after John and Susan Cooper, from Burnley, died at the hotel on Aug 21. The results of post-mortem examinations are not yet known.

Thomas Cook said it was clear that “something went wrong” at the hotel, adding that “standards fell below” what was expected from their holiday partners. But neither the independent specialists who carried out the tests nor a medical expert “believe they shed any light on the still unexplained deaths”.

The tests were carried out at the hotel but not in the Coopers’ room, as that remains under the control of the Egyptian authorities. The couple, in their 60s, died within hours of each other. Their daughter, Kelly Ormerod, later said her parents “had no health problems at all” before their holiday.

The travel company evacuated its remaining guests at the Red Sea resort “as a precaution”. Local officials insist the pair died of natural causes. But Thomas Cook said it had received reports of a “raised level of illness among guests”.

Peter Fankhauser, of Thomas Cook, said: “The tests … show that hygiene at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel did not meet the standards we expect. I am very sorry for all our customers who fell ill. The results, while not establishing the cause of the tragic deaths of John and Susan Cooper, have prompted us to commit further resource to tackle hygiene standards.”

A hotel spokesman said: “We constantly monitor the quality by outside independent contractors. So any high level of bacteria would not be acceptable by our high standards.”