HUNDREDS of holidaymakers struck down with salmonella while staying at a Sunworld resort have issued a High Court writ against the operator, claiming ú3m damages.
Some 1,100 people fell sick with food poisoning while holidaying in Club Aguamar in Majorca last summer. Of that number, Thomas Cook-owned Sunworld says 500 have settled for an undisclosed sum. The rest are set to fight a group action that is believed to be the largest ever made against a major tour operator.
The action is being directed by holidaymaker watchdog Travelwatch. A spokesman for the group said: “The holidaymakers decided to issue the writ in the High Court as a determined show of strength and to give a clear message to Sunworld that they are prepared to fight if necessary for the correct amount of damages. Let the courts decide on the appropriate amount.”
A Sunworld spokesman said: “The fact that 500 people have settled shows they were satisfied with the compensation. Sunworld contacted every single person affected and offered them a settlement – 500 accepted within a month.”