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Thomas Cook said the food and hygiene standards tests had identified a high rate of e-coli and staph bacteria in an Egyptian hotel after the death of two British guests.
John Cooper, 69, and his wife Susan, 63, died on August 21 after staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel in Hurghada. John unfortunately died at the hotel and Susan died in a nearby hospital the same day.
As a result of the tragic deaths, Thomas Cook commissioned an independent hygiene expert and a specialist in air quality to conduct a series of tests at the hotel.
They stated that the food and hygiene standards tests identified a high level of e-coli bacteria and staphylococci.
Thomas Cook said that it is likely that the presence of e-coli and staphylococci would explain the high level of reported illness among hotel guests during this period, supporting their decision to withdraw 300 customers.
However, neither their independent experts nor their independent expert, Dr. Vanya Gant, believe that these findings shed light on the unexplained cause of the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper.
The results of autopsies conducted by the Egyptian authorities are pending.
(Image: Facebook)
(Image: Susan Cooper Facebook)
Thomas Cook said the results showed that something went wrong in August at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada and that standards were below expectations of hotel partners.
The Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel remains on sale to Thomas Cook customers until further notice.
Tests were conducted throughout the hotel after Steigenberger Aqua Magic gave access to specialists.
However, the specialists were unable to access the Coopers' hotel room, which remained under the control of the Egyptian authorities because of their ongoing investigation.
The review of air and water quality has come out clearly, said Thomas Cook.
There was no evidence of carbon monoxide and there were normal levels of carbon dioxide near the room, they added.
The results also showed normal levels of chlorine in the pools.
The tests did not identify the presence of shigella, listeria or salmonella.
(Image: Philip Coburn / Sunday Mirror)
(Image: Birmingham Mail)
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Thomas Cook's CEO, Peter Fankhauser, said: "Everyone at Thomas Cook is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of John and Susan Cooper during their stay at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada.
"Susan was a longtime and much loved colleague.
"We continue to wait for the results of the investigation by the Egyptian authorities and are working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ensure that we put the best interests of the Cooper family first.
"However, the tests that Thomas Cook ordered and announced today show that hygiene at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in August was not in line with expected standards.
"I'm really sorry for all of our guests who got sick during a Thomas Cook vacation at this hotel."
Mr. Fankhauser added: "These results, without establishing the cause of the tragic deaths of John and Susan Cooper, have prompted us to commit new resources to address the hygiene standards in hotels where the disease level is higher than the average.
"At any time, Thomas Cook has more than 500,000 people on vacation with us somewhere in the world.
"We will continue to do everything in our power to keep them safe and well during the happiest weeks of their year."
The tests focused on food, water and air and included tests on pool levels, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, air conditioning units and a thorough audit. storage, preparation, presentation and equipment.
Preliminary results were reviewed by Dr. Vanya Gant, Consultant and Divisional Clinical Director, Microbiology and Infection, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The results were also shared with the Cooper family, the Egyptian authorities and the Deutsche Hospitality group, which concluded a franchise agreement with the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel.
Thomas Cook has made the decision to roll out a specialized hygiene assessment program in all hotels with an above-average reported disease rate.
They are preparing a compensation program for all the guests who stayed at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada in August, who said they were sick.
A dedicated team has been formed to prioritize hotel complaints.
