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More than 140 British holidaymakers have taken legal action after being stricken with serious illness at a luxury five-star resort in Turkey.
Dozens of families claim they contracted an illness that ruined their vacation while staying at the Mukarnas Resort and Spa, in Antalya – a resort town on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast.
Tourists reported being served lukewarm buffet food surrounded by flies, ‘disgusting’ toilets, a dirty pool and other unsanitary conditions throughout the hotel.
Now more than 140 people have commissioned lawyers to investigate after serious stomach ailments during what should have been a dream vacation.
Among those affected were Julie O’Sullivan, 45, her partner Gary Hunt, 46, and her two children Harry, 16, and 15-year-old Hannah.
They traveled to the resort on May 29 via tour operator Jet2holidays – but within the first few days of their week-long trip, the family fell ill.
Mrs. O’Sullivan and Mr. Hunt, who are both delivery drivers, and the two children all started experiencing abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Julie O’Sullivan, 45, and her partner Gary Hunt, 46, (pictured) are among 140 families to take class action after being struck by a pathogen while staying at the Mukarnas Resort and Spa, in Antalya, Turkey
Mrs O’Sullivan, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said: ‘We had been looking forward to leaving for so long, but after two days Harry and I became ill.
“It came on all of a sudden and for the first 24 hours the vomiting and diarrhea was constant. Then Gary and Hannah got it.
‘It was terrible, as we spent most of our vacation in our room, unable to enjoy day trips.
“The whole holiday was a complete disaster and it’s still disturbing to think about it now.
“Remembering, there were flies in the restaurant area and much of the food at the buffet was uncovered, allowing flies to get to the food.
“I also noticed that when kids were sick outside, it often stood there for hours, or just got swept down the drain or the pool, sometimes leaving guests in it by accident.
‘The disinfecting handgel in the vending machine when entering the restaurant was often empty.
Also the toilets were left in a disgusting state and I complained about that several times, but I never cleaned them during the day even though people were sick and had diarrhoea.
Tourists reported being served lukewarm buffet food surrounded by flies, ‘disgusting’ toilets, a dirty pool and other unsanitary conditions at the Mukarnas Resort and Spa (pictured)
“We find this totally unacceptable for a five-star resort.”
Hannah, who is still at school, thankfully started to feel better by the time the family returned to the UK on 6 June, but the others continued to suffer and Ms O’Sullivan contacted their GP on behalf of the family.
On his return to the UK, Harry, who was in his senior year of secondary school, had his GCSE exams, which were ‘extremely difficult’ due to his ongoing stomach upset.
Mrs. O’Sullivan and Harry continue to experience ongoing problems for several months after their vacation.
They undergo several tests with their GP and have been given medication to relieve their symptoms.
Julie added: “We can’t turn back the clock and change what we’ve been through, but we want some answers and know that something is being done to prevent it from happening again in the future.”
Jennifer Hodgson, an international serious injury attorney for Irwin Mitchell who represents those affected, including Ms O’Sullivan and her family, said: “Julie, Gary and their family are among a large number of vacationers who have stayed at this resort and who were knocked down.” . due to illness.
Law firm Irwin Mitchell represents more than 140 people who fell ill while staying at the Mukarnas Resort and Spa (pictured) this summer
‘All cases of holiday sickness are of concern; however, it is of particular concern that such large numbers of people have reported becoming ill, the majority of whom have reported similar symptoms.
Stomach symptoms can lead to long-term health problems and their impact should never be downplayed
“We now represent over 140 people who stayed at the Mukarnas Resort and Spa this summer and understandably have many questions about how they got sick.
“We are now investigating their concerns and are determined to get the answers they deserve.
“If problems are identified, we insist that lessons are learned to prevent other holidaymakers from getting sick in the future.”
Other families who also fell ill at the same resort include Lauren Scott, 27, and James Beard, 42, from Wigan, who reported seeing poop in the pool.
The couple visited the resort on July 9 with their daughters Maddison, 10, Georgia, eight, and six-year-old Olivia on July 9, and were all stricken with illness.
Lauren Scott, 27, and James Beard, 42, of Wigan, and their three daughters (pictured) were all stricken with illness when they stayed at the resort in July
After being told they had to pay nearly £1,000 for tests, the family returned to the UK on 24 July.
The couple still have stomach problems after their return, with Ms. Scott also suffering from night sweats.
Mr Beard said: ‘We were all very excited to go to Turkey. It was our first holiday away as a family and we were counting down the days.
‘Unfortunately, the resort was a huge disappointment. We were shocked by the standards and the number of holidaymakers getting sick.
‘The food was never particularly hot and served lukewarm. The pool was also dirty and we didn’t see it being cleaned during our stay.
“There was once poop in the hotel pool and I was shocked when the lifeguards tried to remove it with their hands and didn’t close the pool or try to clean it.”
Another complainant was Mark Clifton, 38, an electrician from Yeovil, Somerset. He and his partner visited the same resort with her two children between July 15 and July 25.
Just three days into their journey, Mark couldn’t get out of bed.
Another complainant was Mark Clifton (pictured), 38, from Yeovil, Somerset, who said he started experiencing stomach cramps, diarrhoea, sweating and fever for three days after his trip.
After suffering from stomach cramps, diarrhea, sweating and fever, he went to the hotel doctor – who could not be reached.
He continued to have stomach cramps after returning home.
Mr Clifton said in August: ‘I was really shocked at the number of people I heard were sick at the resort. Some of the staff tried to say it was sunstroke but I think it was more than that.
“I remember thinking the food at the hotel was lukewarm, and I never once saw the pool being cleaned or tested while I was there.
‘My partner and her children also got sick, but luckily their symptoms weren’t as bad as mine. Over two weeks later, I’m still not 100 percent and I’m not sure how long this will last.
“While I can’t turn back the clock, I just want to know why this happened.”
Mukarnas Resort and Spa has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.