Family sues Love Holidays after teenager dies from peanut allergy on trip
- Idris Qayyum, a 19-year-old from west London, died from a peanut allergy while on holiday in Turkey.
- He had informed hotel staff about his severe allergy but was still served unsafe food.
- His family is pursuing legal action against Love Holidays, emphasizing the need for better safety measures for allergy sufferers.
In a tragic incident that unfolded in Turkey, a 19-year-old named Idris Qayyum lost his life due to a severe allergic reaction triggered by peanuts. His family, who reside in west London, report that Idris was extremely careful regarding his peanut allergy, consistently reading ingredient labels and questioning restaurant staff about food contents to avoid any allergic reactions. Despite his precautions, during his stay at an all-inclusive resort's rooftop terrace, he was faced with a potentially life-threatening situation when he was served desserts that contained peanuts. The family emphasizes that he had informed the hotel staff about his allergy, hoping for a safe dining experience while on vacation. Unfortunately, after consuming the desserts, Idris realized something was amiss and quickly rushed back to his hotel room where he attempted to vomit and used his EpiPen in a desperate effort to counteract the reaction. His family, deeply affected by this loss, expressed the enormity of their grief – losing a young person at the cusp of adulthood is heart-wrenching, especially when they believe that all necessary precautions were taken to protect him from danger. After his demise, the family initiated legal proceedings against Love Holidays, the travel organizers, arguing that the company failed to ensure the safety of its guests, particularly those with food allergies. They are supported by the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, which advocates for better food safety measures for individuals with allergies. Their hope is to not only seek justice for Idris but also to enhance awareness regarding the risks of food allergies, particularly for travelers who may face a lack of necessary safety measures in foreign environments. By raising awareness, they aim to protect others from experiencing a similar tragedy. This heartbreaking situation has left the family's holiday memories forever tainted by grief and has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of travel companies in ensuring the safety of guests with specific dietary restrictions.