First Choice faces legal threat after dozens of guests fall ill
First Choice is facing the threat of legal action after at least 50 holidaymakers staying at a Red Sea holiday resort came down with alleged food poisoning.
They were all staying at the four-star Coral Sea Waterworld in Sharm el Sheikh when they fell ill. Some claim they were so poorly they were confined to their hotel rooms on intravenous drips.
Law firm Simpson Millar told the Daily Mirror that it had 50 cases of the illness reported to them by hotel guests in the last 24 hours and it suspected there might be up to 100 cases.
According to the travel review site TripAdvisor, cases of sickness at the hotel started as early as July 17.
Some of the latest victims have been diagnosed with Shigella – a bug commonly associated with food poisoning and poor hygiene – according to newspaper reports.
First Choice released the following statement: "We are aware of a small number of cases of sickness at the hotel in Egypt with symptoms similar to a virus.
"Our overseas Holiday Advisors have been assisting any customers reporting sickness at the hotel and they have been offering them appropriate support and advice.
"Reported cases of sickness have reduced and an independent health and safety consultant has been undertaking a thorough investigation.
"We would like to reassure customers that we closely audit all the resorts to which we operate to ensure that health, hygiene and comfort levels are maintained."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season