Thomas Cook are removing 301 customers from the Egypt hotel where a British couple died on Tuesday.

John Cooper, 69, and Susan Cooper, 64, from Burnley, Lancashire, died in the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada.

Mr Cooper, who ran his own building company in the town, had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital where he later passed away.

Mrs Cooper, a long-serving Thomas Cook employee, died “of grief” just hours later, said Dr Maged Eledawy, the head of Hurghada Hospital.

Neighbours said the couple were holidaying with their daughter Kelly and young grandchildren.

The travel agency said they are removing guests after further reports of a ‘raised level of illness among guests’

In a statement, the travel company said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two of our customers that were staying in the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt.

“The circumstances of their deaths are still unclear. We have also received further reports of a raised level of illness among guests. Safety is always our first priority, so as a precautionary measure we have taken a decision to remove all our customers from this hotel.”

Thomas Cook’s head of Customer Welfare, Carole Mackenzie, has travelled to the resort in Egypt following the incident.

The travel company said they are working with local police.

Thomas Cook says it is “saddened” by the deaths

Thomas Cook’s statement continued: “We will be offering customers alternative hotels within Hurghada, as well as giving them the option to return home.

“For those customers who choose to come home, we have made arrangements to fly them back tomorrow, August 24.

“While we understand this is upsetting for those on holiday, we believe this is the right thing to do.

“We continue to work closely with the hotel and are supporting the authorities with their investigations.

“The Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel was last audited by Thomas Cook in late July 2018 and received an overall score of 96%.

“We will be contacting those customers due to travel to the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada in the next four weeks to offer alternative holiday options.”

A Thomas Cook spokesman said customers will remain in the hotel on Thursday night but have been told they can be moved to alternative accommodation on Friday or can choose to be flown home.

It is believed Thomas Cook are investigating whether any health and safety issues, such as ventilation issues or food poisoning, contributed to the Coopers’ deaths.

John was rushed to hospital after reportedly suffering a heart attack
Thomas Cook’s Head of Customer Welfare Carol Mackenzie flew to Hurghada last night to offer support to the couple’s families.

The Mirror