British school trip among 200 tourists hit by 'apocalyptic' food poisoning outbreak at French resort

James Saunders
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 01:46:42 +0000

Nearly 200 children have been struck down by a severe food poisoning outbreak at a French Alps ski resort - including pupils from a school in Bath.

The gastroenteritis cases emerged on Tuesday at the UCPA residence in La Plagne 1800, located in the Savoie region.

Students from Canada, France and Belgium are also among those affected.

The exact number of British pupils who have fallen ill remains unclear, as does their exact condition.

But at least five teachers and multiple staff members have reported symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea.

The centre currently houses 409 children alongside 30 adult supervisors, hosting school ski trips and summer camps.

Those who have fallen ill are receiving treatment at the centre, with some youngsters requiring IV drips as the hotel has been converted into a makeshift hospital.

Firefighters have even been deployed to help evacuate the hotel, while several doctors were sent to the scene.

Local Mayor Jean-Luc Boch confirmed the situation appeared to be a "severe case of gastroenteritis spreading among the children".

He said authorities were awaiting guidance from the Regional Health Authority.

"We'll have to make a decision, and we want to avoid a lockdown and the building's closure," the mayor stated.

Health officials are now expected to advise on the next steps for managing the outbreak at the popular ski destination.

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But witnesses have indicated this is not the first outbreak at the UCPA establishment in La Plagne 1800.

A French secondary school head of sports, identified only as Steeve, told local outlet Le Dauphine that his pupils had previously become unwell at the centre.

"Back in January, when we came, 15 kids got sick during their stay. And now it's happening again. We're so frustrated," he said.

"And the UCPA management is telling us it's our fault, that we brought the disease home.

"But every time we come to a holiday camp, we bring our masks and disinfect every door handle because we know that being in a group carries risks."

He described how a child vomited before reaching the chairlift, with other youngsters already ill at the centre.

While a Canadian student said: "When we came out of our rooms and into the corridor there were about a dozen people sitting on the floor.

"They were all wearing masks and they had buckets by their sides. It was a pretty grim atmosphere," they told French media. "There are loads of sick people. Our group is made up of 25 people, and only 11 of us are not sick. We're the lucky ones - we were able to ski all day."

GB News has approached UCPA or comment.