Spain to Evacuate Over 90 From Hantavirus Ship

Spanish authorities have confirmed that more than 90 of the nearly 150 people aboard a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak will have been evacuated from the Canary Islands by the end of Sunday.

The Dutch‑flagged MV Hondius arrived at Tenerife early Sunday. Dozens of passengers have already been taken off the ship and are returning to their home countries.

Spain’s Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, said in a video shared on social media that British, Turkish, Irish, and US citizens are scheduled to leave. “This will give a total of more than 90 passengers including passengers and crew,” he stated.

Spain to Evacuate Over 90 From Hantavirus Ship (NewsCentral TV) — Spain to Evacuate Over 90 From Hantavirus Ship. Credit: RFI.

The evacuation is taking place at the small industrial port of Granadilla. Officials said the operation would be suspended at nightfall and resume on Monday afternoon.

Pedro Suarez, head of the port authority in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, told regional television that no evacuations would take place on Monday morning.

Once all remaining passengers have been evacuated, about 30 crew members will stay on board to sail the MV Hondius to the Netherlands.

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