Final Evacuation Flight Set for Virus-Hit Cruise Ship

The last evacuation flight for passengers and crew of a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak will depart the Canary Islands on Monday, according to Spain’s Health Minister, Monica Garcia. The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, which has recorded three deaths, arrived at the small industrial port of Granadilla on Tenerife early Sunday in preparation for the scheduled evacuation.

Despite consistent resistance from the Atlantic archipelago’s regional authorities to allow the ship to dock, it was eventually authorized to anchor offshore. Garcia confirmed that all passengers are currently asymptomatic and were undergoing a final medical assessment before disembarkation.

“The last flight of the entire procedure is scheduled for tomorrow, which is the flight to Australia,” Garcia told reporters on Tenerife shortly before the operation was set to commence.

The evacuation process will begin with the ship’s 14 Spanish nationals, followed by a Dutch flight that will also accommodate citizens from Germany, Belgium, Greece, and a portion of the crew. Separate flights for Canadian, Turkish, French, British, Irish, and US citizens were also planned for Sunday, according to Garcia.

However, regional authorities have cautioned that adverse weather conditions may force the vessel to depart from Monday. The hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius has sparked international concern and raised questions about the safety protocols in place on cruise ships.

As the evacuation process unfolds, health officials and authorities are working to ensure the safe return of all passengers and crew while minimizing the risk of further transmission of the virus. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing health challenges posed by infectious diseases in the context of global travel and tourism.