The Spanish government announced on Friday that the repatriation of passengers aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, which has been affected by an outbreak of Hantavirus, will begin on Sunday in Tenerife.
Spain’s Minister for Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, told reporters that the vessel is expected to arrive Sunday morning off the port of Granadilla, on Tenerife. He added that the first repatriation flights will be organized the same day.
However, the ship will not be allowed to dock. Instead, it will remain offshore, with passengers transferred to land using smaller boats.
Once ashore, passengers will be transported by bus to Tenerife South Airport, located near the port of Granadilla, according to Virginia Barcones, head of Spain’s emergency services, speaking to public broadcaster TVE. She noted that most passengers are asymptomatic and are not expected to require special medical transport.
Spain’s Health Minister Mónica García stated that foreign nationals will be repatriated to their respective countries through coordinated arrangements with their governments. She also indicated that passengers who may develop symptoms but do not require urgent medical care could still be included in repatriation flights.
“We are taking all necessary decisions while evaluating every possible scenario,” García said in an interview with Spanish public television.
The MV Hondius departed Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1 and is operated by the Dutch company Oceanwide Expeditions. It carries around 150 passengers and crew members of 23 nationalities. Three deaths have been reported on board.
The ship, which was sailing between Argentina and Cape Verde, is currently heading toward Tenerife after three ill passengers were evacuated on Wednesday near Cape Verde.
