Spain evacuates passengers from virus ship
Spain has begun the evacuation of passengers aboard the MS Hondius after a hantavirus outbreak linked to the vessel raised international concern. The cruise ship, anchored near Tenerife in the Canary Islands, arrived before dawn on Sunday, nearly one month after the first passenger death was reported onboard. Spanish Health Minister Mónica García said the evacuation operation was progressing under strict sanitary control and confirmed that all passengers currently onboard remain asymptomatic. Passengers and crew are being evacuated in stages according to nationality. Small boats are transporting groups from the ship to the coast, where charter flights are waiting to repatriate them to their respective countries. Spanish nationals are the first to leave the vessel, followed by passengers and crew members being transferred to the Netherlands, including Dutch, Greek and German citizens. Additional flights are expected to depart for the […]