Thomas Cook has confirmed it has no evidence to indicate the deaths of two customers at a hotel in Egypt was down to carbon monoxide poisoning.
In a statement addressing speculation as to the cause of the deaths of British couple John and Susan Cooper, the firm said the circumstances remain unclear.
The statement said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two of our customers who were staying in the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt.
“We are aware of the speculation in some of today’s media that their deaths may have been caused by Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Currently we have no evidence to support this.”
Cook has taken the decision to evacuate the hotel after what it described as “raised level of illness” among guests.
It is thought the illness suffered by guests was gastro-related sickness and carbon monoxide was an unlikely cause.
Thomas Cook was at the centre of a high-profile case of carbon monoxide poisoning when two children, Christi and Bobby Shepherd, died in 2006 at a hotel it contracted.
The latest Cook statement added: “A team of 24 Thomas Cook representatives have been supporting our 300 customers in the hotel overnight.
“We are 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 today, 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 Hotel in Hurghada in the next four weeks to offer alternative holiday options.