Thomas Cook boss flies to Egypt after deaths

The boss of Thomas Cook is to meet the Egyptian prime minister to discuss the deaths of a British couple.

John and Susan Cooper, from Burnley, Lancashire, died while on a holiday with the tour operator in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

A Thomas Cook spokesman said: “Thomas Cook CEO, Peter Fankhauser, has flown to Egypt today to meet with the Egyptian prime minister, His Excellency Dr Mostafa Madbouly.

“They will discuss the recent tragic deaths of Mr and Mrs Cooper in Hurghada and the ongoing investigation by the Egyptian authorities.”

Thomas Cook is hoping to obtain permission from the Egyptian authorities to access the hotel room where the Coopers were staying.

Mr Fankhauser has previously insisted there is “no real evidence of what caused the deaths” but pledged to support the family and Egyptian authorities to “get to the bottom of it and to get to the cause”.

The couple were staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel.

Mr Cooper, 69, died in his room, while Mrs Cooper, 63, a Thomas Cook employee, died after being taken to hospital.