New Delhi, May 11: The MV Hondius, a cruise ship affected by the Hanta virus, has successfully docked at Spain’s Canary Islands. All crew members and passengers aboard have been safely evacuated. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the Spanish government for its efforts, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of both passengers and crew.
In a post on social media platform X, Guterres stated, “I want to express my support for the Spanish government and others as they work alongside our World Health Organization colleagues to manage the Hanta virus. While the health threat from the virus remains low, it is crucial that international health efforts ensure the safety of all, including the passengers and crew of the MV Hondius.”
Earlier, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted, “Most passengers and crew of the MV Hondius have successfully disembarked today. I am grateful to the ministers, their teams, and the entire Spanish government for the leadership and technical expertise demonstrated during this operation. The WHO is collaborating with experts from all involved countries, as cooperation is essential to keep passengers, crew, responders, and communities healthy and safe.”
According to Euro News, the MV Hondius docked on Sunday at Spain’s Canary Islands. Flights have begun to evacuate passengers and crew from the affected cruise ship.
The first group evacuated consisted entirely of Spanish citizens, who are now en route to Madrid. They will be placed in quarantine upon arrival. Euro News reported that none of the passengers on the flight exhibited any symptoms.
Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that one of the five French citizens repatriated from the cruise ship is showing symptoms of the illness. He will soon issue an order for appropriate isolation measures. As a result, these five passengers will be placed under strict isolation until further notice.
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