Spain says first hantavirus cruise evacuees to return home Sunday after arriving in Tenerife

MADRID, May 8 — Passengers aboard a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak are set to begin returning to their home countries after the vessel arrives in Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday, Spanish authorities said today.

The MV Hondius is expected to arrive at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, located off the northwest coast of Africa, on Sunday morning, according to cabinet minister Angel Victor Torres.

“On the same day, planes will be ready so we can begin flying these people home,” he told reporters.

Earlier, sources from Spain’s Interior Ministry had indicated evacuations would start on Monday, with European Union member states arranging the return of their own citizens.

The situation involving the MV Hondius has drawn international attention after reports confirmed that three people have died since the cruise departed Argentina in April.

On Wednesday, three sick passengers were evacuated from the ship near Cape Verde, while the vessel continued toward the Canary Islands carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries.

Spanish health minister Monica Garcia said foreign passengers showing symptoms, but not requiring urgent treatment, would be repatriated through arrangements coordinated by their respective governments.

“We are taking every necessary measure while carefully evaluating all possible scenarios,” she said during an interview with Spanish public television.

Spanish officials added that the ship will remain anchored offshore and will not be permitted to dock in Tenerife. Passengers will instead be transferred ashore using smaller boats.

Spain’s emergency services chief Virginia Barcones said passengers would then be transported by bus to a nearby airport.

“At this stage, these individuals are asymptomatic and are not expected to require special transport arrangements,” she said. — AFP