‘THE CRAMPS WERE UNBEARABLE. I WAS NEARLY IN TEARS...’
Holidaymakers take legal action after 36 fall ill on TUI break at five star Egypt hotel
A Stoke-on-trent man is among dozens of British holidaymakers taking legal action after they suffered from a gastric illness during their holidays at a five star Egyptian resort.
Lawyers say 36 people had their holidays ruined by gastric symptoms whilst staying at the Jaz Aquamarine hotel in Hurghada between January and October 2019.
Four holidaymakers were hospitalised while eight people had Salmonella, one had the stomach bug Giardiasis and another person had E.coli and Shigella. Among those affected include a newlywed couple on their honeymoon, a mum and her two children. The holidaymakers, who all booked their getaways via TUI, have launched legal action against the tour operator.
Neil Jones, aged 58, from Lightwood, was with his girlfriend Julie Kirkam when he fell ill just two days into his holiday in July 2019. He began suffering from bloating, severe diarrhoea and abdominal cramps, low energy and a lack of appetite – and only recovered three weeks later.
The retired wall and floor tiler, right, who used to live in Fenton, said: “I remember feeling so unwell and that the cramps were unbearable. I’m a grown man and I was nearly brought to tears.
“It was supposed to be a fun holiday, but my illness ruined the whole thing. When my girlfriend went to the chemist abroad, they asked her if we were from the Jaz Aqua before she even said what the issue was. She also heard other holidaymakers discussing getting ill there. Clearly something wasn’t right and we all deserve some answers.”
Hannah Clifford, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, is representing those affected. She said: “To hear that so many people were struck down with debilitating illness after staying at Hurghada’s Jaz Aquamarine hotel is deeply concerning.
“Our clients were understandably looking forward to their holidays and were left devastated when they developed gastric symptoms. These types of illnesses can lead to severe long-term conditions and should never be downplayed.
“The families continue to have questions regarding what they’ve been through, but TUI have thus far failed to engage with us. While they would rather not be in this position, they feel they have no option but to commence court proceedings to help them obtain the answers they deserve.”
TUI has been contacted for comment.