Spain Begins Evacuating Passengers From Hantavirus-infected Cruise Ship

• 10.05.2026, 14:56

Upon arrival on land, they are assigned to nationalities.

Spain has begun evacuating passengers from a hantavirus-infected cruise liner anchored off the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

According to BBC.

Health Minister Monica Garcia said the operation was underway and that all passengers on board the MS Hondius were so far symptom-free.

In the first phase of the evacuation, passengers who were on board wearing medical masks began to be lowered onto lifeboats in stages. They are taken to the shore, where they are met by medics and lifeguards in protective suits.

On arrival on land, the passengers are distributed by nationality. From the port they are taken by bus to Tenerife airport, from where charter flights return people to their countries of origin.

The first to be evacuated are 14 Spanish nationals, followed by passengers from the Netherlands, Germany and Greece, as well as some of the crew.

Separate flights are scheduled to the UK, USA and Australia.