The hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius has arrived at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife at around 5.40am UK time on Sunday, May 10. Rescue teams, including UK government staff, are preparing to evacuate up to 147 people, among them 22 British nationals, who remain onboard.
The evacuation must be completed within 24 hours to avoid delays from expected bad weather. Passengers will be allowed only limited belongings, including a small bag with essentials, a mobile phone, charger and documentation. The ship will not dock but remain at anchor, with people ferried ashore in small boats.
Everyone disembarking will be checked for symptoms and will not leave the ship until a flight is already waiting in Tenerife. Spanish passengers will be transferred to a medical facility for quarantine. The US and UK have agreed to send planes to evacuate their citizens; Americans will be quarantined at a medical centre in Nebraska.
Some crew members and the body of a passenger who died on board will remain on the ship, which will sail to the Netherlands for disinfection. Authorities aim to complete evacuation flights on Sunday and Monday, according to Maria Van Kerkove of the WHO.
