Passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, are expected to disembark on Sunday after the vessel arrives in Tenerife, Spanish authorities have said.
According to officials, the ship will dock early Sunday morning on the island, part of Spain’s Canary Islands, allowing passengers to leave before being evacuated to their respective countries.
Spain’s Health Minister, MĂłnica GarcĂa, said Spanish citizens aboard the vessel would disembark first.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said countries including Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and the United States would send aircraft to evacuate their citizens.
He added that the European Union would deploy two evacuation flights for passengers from other European nations, while the Netherlands would assist in evacuating non-European citizens whose governments are unable to arrange flights.
The outbreak aboard the vessel has drawn international attention amid growing concerns over the spread of hantavirus, a rare but potentially deadly disease often transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings.
Erizia Rubyjeana
