Thomas Cook responds to Panorama investigation into Corfu deaths

Thomas Cook has issued a statement in response to a BBC Panorama documentary being aired tonight on the tragic gas poisoning of two children in Corfu in October.

The investigation into the deaths of Bobby and Christi Shepherd will be the subject of Panorama tonight on BBC1 at 8.30pm.

The two were poisoned by lethal fumes from a gas water heater as they slept in an apartment at the Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia.

In the documentary, the parents of the children say they hold Thomas Cook responsible for the tragedy.

Speaking for the first time, they say they believe their children would still be alive if the tour operator had ensured proper safety audits were carried out at the resort.

The Thomas Cook statement says it was “shocked and saddened” by the deaths and “again wishes to express its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the children” .

“Never before in the company’s 165 year history has it experienced a situation more tragic,” it continued.

“For Thomas Cook this case is unprecedented. We are fully committed to investigating the tragedy and are working very closely with the authorities in Greece and the UK .

“No charges have been made against any employee of Thomas Cook or any of its representatives. Thomas Cook can confirm that its internal audits followed the Federation of Tour Operator’s procedures and that at least two other leading tour operators conducted audits on the property in accordance with FTO code of practice too.

“Due to the ongoing investigations the company is unfortunately unable to comment further at this time. However the company is determined to do everything in its power to ensure that there can be no such similar case in the future

“Carbon monoxide issues are not unique to the travel industry. In recent months the awareness of carbon monoxide has become heightened both domestically, in the UK,
and overseas and Thomas Cook would support any new regulation that could be implemented to prevent any similar situations in the future.

“Every year Thomas Cook takes more than three million customers abroad and can reassure all its customers that the health and safety of holidaymakers is paramount .
Package holidays offer the most wide-ranging health and safety measures available and therefore continue to be the safest and most protected way for customers to take
holidays.”

By Bev Fearis