Egypt hotel customers where British couple died taking legal action over sickness

The couple died at the Steinburger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt
Steigenberger Aqua Magic
Sophie Williams25 August 2018

Previous guests at a hotel in Egypt where a British couple died are taking legal action after they "became unwell."

At least 20 people who recently stayed at the Steinburger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt are bringing claims against the hotel according to Nick Harris, a partner at law firm Simpson Millar.

Shortly after, Mrs Cooper, 63, was taken to hospital and later died.

Susan Cooper, 63, and her husband John Cooper, 69, who have both died during a holiday in Egypt

Mr Harris told Sky News that the complaints were mainly in relation to hygiene.

He added: "The food, the temperatures of the food, things like that. It seems to be the same complaints coming back time and time again."

A Thomas Cook spokeswoman told the Standard that the company "are aware that a number of customers have come forward to say they have experienced illness while staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel."

"We take all illness very seriously and we will continue to investigate any outstanding cases."

Kelly Omerod, the daughter of the British couple, said that her parents were "fit and healthy" before their holiday and were in "perfect health" just hours before being taken ill.

She said that she only realised when something was wrong when her parents hadn't come down to the pool.

Ms Omerod added: "I went to knock on the door and saw they were both very unwell. It was about 11am when I went to the bedroom. They said they were extremely ill and need help.

"I watched them die before my very eyes and they had exactly the same symptoms."

There is currently no evidence to suggest the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, which had been reported as a possible factor, the travel operator said.

Egypt's top prosecutor has dismissed speculation that the death of the couple was caused by poisonous gas emissions.

Nabil Sadeq said that a full inspection of their hotel room showed there were no toxic or harmful gas emissions or leaks.

The circumstances of the deaths remain unclear, the company said, adding that it has sent 24 staff to support around 300 customers in the hotel.

The Lancashire couple died while staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel
AP

Hotel guests reported widespread food poisoning symptoms and Thomas Cook said there had been a "raised level of illness among guests".

Alison Cope, from Moseley, Birmingham, said she has been at the hotel for two weeks, and five out of seven of her family members have been ill for around 10 days.

The 44-year-old, who flies home on Friday evening, said: "The food is just disgusting, it's undercooked. I know so many people have been ill.

"Half the time we don't know what it is and can't eat it because it's raw in the middle."

But Dieter Geiger, general manager at Aqua Magic, said there was no evidence to support an "increased incidence of illness" at the hotel, which he dismissed as "rash speculations".

"The doctor's preliminary report indicates that death was due to natural causes," he said.

Holidaymakers are being offered alternative hotels within Hurghada as well as the option to return home, Thomas Cook said.

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