Holidaymakers go to law over 'appalling' conditions at hotel

LEGAL action is being taken by Yorkshire holidaymakers who have blamed "appalling" conditions at an Egyptian hotel for making them ill with suspected food poisoning symptoms that could last a lifetime.

Dozens of tourists have complained about the Holiday Village Red Sea hotel in Sharm El Sheikh following holidays in the last four years which left some poisoned by bacteria including salmonella and shigella.

Families who became ill this summer are now coming forward to allege that the hotel was not fit to stay in.

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Amy Higgins, from Doncaster, was at the hotel in September this year when she and all seven family members – including her three-year-old son Logan – were taken seriously ill with gastric symptoms, including stomach cramps and sickness.

Amy, 24, said conditions were "appalling"."It stank of sewage everywhere, especially the toilets; the swimming pools had faeces floating in them and chicken dishes were served pink in the middle.

"We all got ill and felt absolutely dreadful, but I was particularly concerned for Logan.

He is only little and was so poorly, and he is still suffering now we are home as he's been diagnosed with cryptosporidium – which we've been told can be really dangerous for young children.

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"I was really worried about my aunt Christine too, she is suffering with cancer, and it was heartbreaking to see what should have been a nice holiday for her to take her mind off things being totally ruined by illness.

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She believes the tour operator could have prevented their ordeal by not sending them there.

Lawyers with Irwin Mitchell are now fighting on her behalf, as well as a group of 80 who became ill in 2008. The firm is representing 47 adults and 36 children, including people from Yorkshire, who got sick in 2008.

Juliette Eden, travel law specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: "First Choice has continued to deny liability for the suffering caused at this hotel. We are determined to continue to fight for our clients to ensure that justice is done.

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"First Choice should face up to its responsibilities and pay our clients fair compensation for their ruined holidays and illnesses. The huge catalogue of complaints our clients experienced during their stays at the hotel shows just how appalling the conditions were.

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Guests claimed the hotel was dirty and unhygienic and that food was often undercooked and was left out for long periods of time without being kept at the correct temperature.

Some of the food appeared to have been reheated and recycled from food left over from previous meals, it is claimed, and birds were frequently seen in the dining area.

"What's particularly alarming is that we have received calls from nearly 90 people who have stayed at this hotel within the last few months and, like so many people before them, have experienced similar problems," said Ms Eden.

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She said many of those affected may be left with long-term and possibly permanent symptoms.

A spokesman for First Choice accused the law firm of "seeking to profit from an unfortunate illness suffered by a small number of guests who stayed at the Holiday Village Red Sea".

The spokesman said reports of sickness this summer were "minimal", adding: "All of the hotels to which we operate are closely monitored to ensure that the highest health, safety and comfort levels our customers expect are maintained.

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He said the First Choice was confident that future guests at Holiday Village Red Sea would experience "high levels of quality and standards".

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