Spain Coordinates International Evacuation After Deadly Cruise Ship Outbreak

Passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, are expected to disembark on Sunday after the vessel arrives in Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, according to Spanish authorities.

Officials said the ship is scheduled to dock early Sunday morning, allowing passengers to begin returning to their respective home countries following days of uncertainty at sea.

Spain’s Health Minister, Mónica García, announced that Spanish nationals onboard would be the first to leave the vessel once it docks.

Speaking during a joint press conference, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said several countries, including Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United States, are dispatching aircraft to evacuate their citizens directly from Tenerife.

He added that the European Union would also send two evacuation flights for passengers from other European countries, while Dutch authorities agreed to assist non-European passengers whose governments are unable to provide transport.

The MV Hondius became the focus of international concern after health officials confirmed a hantavirus outbreak onboard that reportedly led to multiple infections and deaths among passengers and crew. Authorities have not yet released the full number of confirmed cases, but medical teams have been monitoring passengers closely during the ship’s journey to Spain.

According to reports from European health agencies, emergency protocols were activated after several passengers developed flu-like symptoms associated with hantavirus, a rare but potentially fatal disease commonly transmitted through exposure to infected rodents or their droppings.

Spanish authorities said medical screening and quarantine measures would be carried out upon arrival in Tenerife to prevent further spread of the infection. Emergency health teams and airport officials have also been placed on standby ahead of the evacuation process.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns over infectious disease preparedness on international cruise liners, with several governments closely monitoring developments surrounding the outbreak.