'Luxury Jet2 holiday left our family so ill my son had to sit his GCSEs next to a toilet'

A family are demanding answers after becoming ill for months following a stay at a luxury hotel.

Scores of British tourists claim they have suffered gastric illness during or after staying at the five-star Mukarnas Resort and Spa Hotel in - and are taking to court after booking the resort through the company. Marie Brereton, 55, from , holidayed at the Mukarnas Resort between May 29 and June 5 2022 with her husband and son Ben, who is now 18. The trip cost more than £2,000 for seven nights - but left them so ill they were left dashing for the toilet months after returning home.

Three days into the holiday, Marie, a nurse, and Ben both began suffering from severe stomach pain. They were told to travel to a medical centre in Turkey, which was more than 40 minutes away.

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But Ben remained unwell for more than three months, and was forced to sit one of his GCSE exams with access to his own toilet.

Marie's illness meanwhile lasted for two months, and she ended up seeing a GP. She said: "We managed to enjoy the first couple of days of our holiday but it didn't last long with Ben and I falling sick really quickly.

"At first I thought it was maybe just adjusting to a change of food, but I was wrong. The hygiene in the resort wasn't great, with a lack of hand gel and toilets left in awful states.

"The cleaners didn't wear any gloves, which I thought would have been basic procedure especially when dealing with the likes of soiled bedding.

"To this day the tour operator is continuing to drag their heels. I don't think it's too much to ask of them to co-operate with us."

The legal action, brought by Irwin Mitchell, came after an extensive investigation by the legal experts and legal submissions.

Jatinder Paul, a specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the tourists, said: "It's very concerning to hear how many people, including young children, fell seriously ill at this resort, especially in just a few months.

"Following investigations and refusal from Jet2Holidays to resolve these cases amicably, we've now issued High Court proceedings and are determined to ensure the 100 people impacted are given the answers they deserve regarding how they came to contract serious illnesses.

"Gastric illness can be very serious and should never be downplayed. It can lead to life-changing health issues and even death. Nearly three years on, a number of our clients continue to be affected by debilitating complications linked to their illness.

"Nothing can make up for how their holidays were ruined but we call on Jet2Holidays to work with us to resolve these cases as quickly as possible so our clients can start to put their ordeals behind them."

The legal documents filed at the High Court argue, amongst other complaints, that Jet2Holidays were negligent in that they were aware of the outbreak of illness at the resort and continued to send holidaymakers to the hotel. They also allege was a failure to comply with health and safety regulations putting several guests at risk.

Jet2 Holidays has denied liability prior to issuing proceedings on all 100 cases.

The has approached Jet2 Holidays for comment.