Spanish authorities have started evacuating passengers from the virus-hit MV Hondius cruise ship anchored near Tenerife.
Spain on Sunday began a large-scale operation to remove passengers and crew from the MV Hondius after a hantavirus outbreak linked to the vessel left three people dead. Health officials said all remaining passengers are currently asymptomatic as evacuation efforts continue under strict medical supervision.
The cruise ship arrived near Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands after weeks at sea following multiple suspected hantavirus cases onboard. Passengers are being moved in groups based on nationality and flown back to their home countries on charter flights.
Spanish Health Minister Mónica García said the operation is “proceeding normally,” while medical teams continue to screen passengers for symptoms before disembarkation. Fourteen Spanish nationals are expected to undergo quarantine in Madrid after leaving the ship.
The World Health Organization (WHO) described Spain’s response as “solid and effective” and stressed that the public health risk remains low. Authorities also confirmed that the ship will not dock directly at shore, with strict security measures enforced around the vessel.
The outbreak has been linked to exposure during a bird-watching trip in southern Argentina, where rodents carrying the Andes strain of hantavirus are known to exist. Although human-to-human transmission is rare, health officials remain cautious due to the deaths reported onboard.
Some residents and port workers in Tenerife earlier raised concerns about the ship’s arrival, prompting increased security and emergency preparations around the port area.
Passengers now face weeks of monitoring and possible quarantine as health authorities work to prevent further spread of the virus.
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