Thomas Cook boss flies to Egypt after death of British couple
The boss of Thomas Cook is to meet the Egyptian prime minister to discuss the deaths of a British couple.
John and Susan Cooper, from Burnley, Lancashire, died while on a holiday with the tour operator in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.
A Thomas Cook spokesman said: "Thomas Cook CEO, Peter Fankhauser, has flown to Egypt today to meet with the Egyptian prime minister, His Excellency Dr Mostafa Madbouly.
"They will discuss the recent tragic deaths of Mr and Mrs Cooper in Hurghada and the ongoing investigation by the Egyptian authorities."
Thomas Cook is hoping to obtain permission from the Egyptian authorities to access the hotel room where the Coopers were staying.
Mr Fankhauser has previously insisted there is "no real evidence what caused the deaths" but pledged to support the family and Egyptian authorities to "get to the bottom of it and to get to the cause".
The couple were staying at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel.
Mr Cooper, 69, died in his room, while Mrs Cooper, 63, a Thomas Cook employee, died after being taken to hospital, according to their daughter, Kelly Ormerod.
She has said there was "something suspicious" behind the deaths and described them as being in "perfect health" just hours before being taken ill.
Mr Fankhauser said Thomas Cook decided to move 300 guests out of the hotel 24 hours later as a precaution after becoming aware of an "increased number" of illnesses.
He confirmed that 13 customers had food poisoning but were not in a serious condition.
A technical team's inspection of the Coopers' room showed there were no toxic or harmful gas emissions or leaks, according to a statement by prosecutor Nabil Sadeq.
Thomas Cook has commissioned its own tests into food hygiene and air conditioning at the hotel, although it has not been granted access to the Coopers' room. The results are due in the middle of next week.
Christi and Bobby Shepherd died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a Thomas Cook holiday bungalow in 2006.
A 2015 inquest jury concluded that the tour operator breached its duty of care over their deaths.
