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Call For Hygiene Improvements as Holiday Hell Returns to Bulgarian Hotel
Published date:
18 Aug 2009
Travel law experts are calling for hygiene improvements to be made at a Bulgarian hotel after revealing that dozens of British holidaymakers are again being struck down by serious gastric illness – including 4 confirmed cases of salmonella – three years after problems were first reported.
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors’ travel law team are pursuing legal action after being contacted by UK travellers who have suffered a nightmare holiday at the four-star all inclusive Riu Helios Bay Hotel in the Bulgarian resort of Obzor Beach.
Back in 2006, problems were first reported at the same hotel and Irwin Mitchell is still pursuing a group legal action on behalf of its clients.
One of the families to be affected by an outbreak of illness this summer, are the Riley family from Solihull in the West Midlands.
Anita Riley (42), husband John (44) and their two children Megan (16) and Jack (13) travelled to the resort in mid-July for a one week all inclusive holiday with UK tour operator, Portland Holidays Direct. But within days they were struck down with stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting, with Mrs Riley diagnosed as suffering from salmonella food poisoning.
“The first 24 hours were fine and at first glance both the hotel and the food looked lovely, but then things rapidly went down hill,” commented Anita Riley.
“During our stay we noticed that the food, which was often left uncovered, appeared to have been reheated and was undercooked. On one occasion we found the chicken that was served was still pink in the middle.
“One by one John, Jack and I fell ill. Only Megan managed to escape illness and she couldn’t go anywhere or enjoy her holiday because the rest of us were all confined to our room with stomach cramps and diarrhoea. The holiday was a complete nightmare and we were all so thankful to come home.”
On their return to the UK, both John and Jack Riley were examined at their local A&E unit, and Anita was diagnosed with salmonella. All 3 continue to suffer symptoms.
Amandeep Dhillon, from the International Travel Litigation department at Irwin Mitchell said: “I am very disappointed that three years on, we have again received reports of illness at this hotel and it is distressing to see that holidaymakers who travelled to the Riu Helios Bay Hotel for a relaxing, well earned break had their holidays ruined.
“In many cases we find these illness outbreaks are as a result of a failure to ensure that basic health and hygiene procedures are correctly implemented by the hotel owner and properly enforced by the UK tour operator.
“We hope that Portland Holidays Direct will now quickly and fully compensate our clients. If a negotiated settlement cannot be reached, then formal legal proceedings will be inevitable although we hope that will not be necessary.”
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