TENERIFE, Spain — An emergency evacuation is underway off the coast of Tenerife after the expedition ship MV Hondius was linked to a fatal hantavirus outbreak.
Authorities confirmed that over 140 people remain on the vessel, though none are currently showing symptoms. Despite this, the outbreak has already claimed three lives. Five former passengers who had left the ship earlier were later confirmed positive for the virus.
Instead of docking at port, the ship will stay anchored offshore while passengers are transferred in controlled stages using smaller boats and strict medical protocols.
Officials said everyone leaving the vessel will be screened before being flown home. Disembarkation will only occur once outbound flights are ready.
Mónica García said the evacuation is being carried out efficiently and is expected to conclude within two days.
The operation is being coordinated with support from World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Spanish authorities based in Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary group.
Authorities emphasized that evacuees will be kept completely separate from the local population during the process.
Medical experts explained that hantavirus is mainly spread through exposure to infected rodents and is rarely transmitted between humans, though the specific Andes strain involved may allow limited human-to-human transmission in unusual cases. Symptoms can develop anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure.
Spanish citizens onboard are expected to be prioritized for evacuation and will undergo quarantine after arrival. Reports indicate 13 Spanish passengers and one Spanish crew member are still on the ship, according to Oceanwide Expeditions.
The situation has sparked concern among residents of Tenerife, who questioned how the vessel was permitted near the islands during the outbreak.
Multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, have arranged evacuation flights for their nationals.
Passengers were told to carry only essential items such as IDs, phones, chargers, and small personal belongings, leaving most luggage behind.
Officials added that the vessel will later sail to the Netherlands for full sanitization, with some crew members and the deceased passenger’s remains staying onboard during the voyage.
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