The Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius arrived at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, Canary Islands, early Sunday morning following a directive from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union. The vessel, which departed from Cape Verde last Wednesday, was escorted to the Spanish port by a Civil Guard vessel after a deadly hantavirus outbreak was confirmed on board.
According to the WHO, the outbreak has claimed the lives of three individuals—a Dutch couple and a German national—while six others have tested positive for the virus, with two additional suspected cases. Although hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents, health officials have noted that human-to-human transmission is possible in rare cases, leading European public health agencies to classify all passengers as high-risk contacts.
The arrival of the ship triggered a political confrontation between the Spanish central government and the regional administration of the Canary Islands. Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo publicly accused the Madrid-based government of improvisation, stating he would not authorize the ship's docking unless there were firm guarantees that all passengers would depart the island on the same day. The regional government further warned that any extension of the ship’s stay beyond the initial schedule would be the sole responsibility of the central government.
Despite these objections, the Directorate General of the Merchant Navy ordered the ship to anchor at Granadilla, citing maritime safety and the necessity of medical assistance. The evacuation process commenced at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, with passengers transported via small boats to the shore. From there, they are being moved in sealed-off buses to a nearby airport located roughly 10 minutes away for immediate repatriation flights.
Spanish nationals were prioritized for the first phase of the disembarkation, with other nationalities scheduled to follow in subsequent groups. While the majority of passengers are expected to depart rapidly, reports indicate that some flights are not scheduled until Monday, a point of contention for local authorities. Once the evacuation is complete, 30 crew members will remain on the MV Hondius to sail the vessel to the Netherlands, where it will undergo a full disinfection process.
Officials have emphasized that no one currently on board is exhibiting active symptoms of the virus. The operation remains under strict medical supervision to ensure the containment of the pathogen as passengers transition from the vessel to international transit.
