Steigenberger AG, owner of the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel in Hurghada, said the findings of an investigation into the deaths of Cook agent Susan Cooper and husband John “did not match the stringent quality and safety standards” it expects of its hotels.
Egypt’s general prosecutor, Nabil Sabek, said on Wednesday the Coopers died after contracting E. coli last month.
Sabek said post-mortem examinations found Mr Cooper suffered acute intestinal dysentery caused by E. coli, while Ms Cooper suffered Hemolytic-uremic syndrome, likely also caused by E. coli.
The report rebutted suggestions the Coopers may have been poisoned by insecticide after the room next to theirs was fumigated during their stay.
Cook pulled all 300 of its guests out of the hotel after the Coopers died on August 21, citing a “raised level of illness”.
Its own independent tests of the water, food and air conditioning at the Steigenberger found a “high level of E. coli” at the hotel.
However, the operator said the tests - which it had independently verified by a doctor in London - failed to shed any further light on the couple’s death after the Egyptian authorities refused to grant any other parties access to the room where the Coopers died.
