Hantavirus: Countries prepare to evacuate ship passengers
Webdunia | May 10, 2026 5:40 PM CST
The vessel Hondius, which was hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, arrived near the Port of Granadilla on Spain's island of Tenerife on Sunday morning.
The virus killed three people aboard the luxury vessel.
Spanish officials said passengers would be tested before being transported ashore in small boats, then taken to the airport in sealed buses and flown to their home countries for quarantine.
What are the evacuation plans for Hantavirus-stricken ship passengers?
- Spanish authorities say medical teams will first screen everyone on board for acute symptoms.
- If none are found, passengers will disembark in groups of five, wearing FFP2 masks and carrying only light hand luggage.
- They will be taken by bus to the airport and flown home on special charter flights arranged by their countries.
- Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands have confirmed they will send planes to evacuate their citizens aboard MV Hodius
- The European Union is sending two more planes for the remaining European citizens
- The US and UK said planes and contingency plans were being arranged for non-EU citizens
- Local authorities say the evacuation must take place between Sunday and Monday, before weather conditions at sea change.
- After the evacuation operation, MV Hondius is set to continue onward to the Netherlands, where it is to be disinfected in accordance with international protocols
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