The first phase of a complex international evacuation operation for passengers of the cruise ship MV Hondius concluded “successfully” on Sunday at the port of Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife. Despite a public and bitter dispute between the Spanish central government and the regional administration of the Canary Islands, health officials confirmed that nearly 100 passengers from 19 different nations were safely disembarked and transitioned to their respective home countries.
The operation follows a critical Hantavirus outbreak declared aboard the vessel in late April, which has left at least eight people infected and resulted in three deaths. Coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Spanish government, the mission aimed to isolate the virus while ensuring the swift repatriation of passengers and crew under strict sanitary protocols.
Spanish Health Minister Mónica García, who oversaw the operation alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres, described the day’s events as having proceeded with “total normality and security.” However, the success of the logistics was shadowed by a political standoff, as the regional government of the Canary Islands remained conspicuously absent from the operation.
Logistical Precision Amid Sanitary Risk
The operation began at approximately 6:00 a.m. Local time when the MV Hondius, arriving from Cape Verde with 147 people on board, dropped anchor in Tenerife. By 9:45 a.m., the first group—14 Spanish nationals—began a staggered disembarkation. To maintain maximum security, the passengers were transported via buses provided by the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) directly to the Tenerife South Airport.
From there, an Air Force Airbus transported the Spanish group to the Torrejón de Ardoz air base in Madrid. These individuals will undergo a mandatory quarantine at the Gómez Ulla Hospital, where they will be monitored and subjected to PCR testing to detect the presence of the virus.
The evacuation followed a strict “ready-to-fly” mandate: no passenger was permitted to leave the ship until the aircraft from their specific home country was fully prepared and on the tarmac. This sequence saw passengers from France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom depart in successive waves. By 8:30 p.m., a total of 94 people had been successfully evacuated.
A Predictable Complication
The operation was not without medical incidents. During the flight back to France, one passenger began exhibiting symptoms compatible with Hantavirus, a detail confirmed by French Prime Minister Sébastian Lecornu. Minister García characterized this as a predictable outcome of the outbreak, stating that “some passengers may develop symptoms at any moment” and emphasizing that the priority remains the rigorous application of established health protocols.
In a positive development, García also confirmed that two women—one from Alicante and one from Barcelona—who had been isolated as close contacts of an infected passenger, both tested negative via PCR.
The Political Rift: “The Government Did Not Come”
While the medical and logistical arms of the operation functioned smoothly, the political atmosphere was volatile. Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands, sparked controversy by announcing late Saturday that he did not authorize the MV Hondius to dock, citing the health risk to the islands.
Clavijo argued that passengers whose flights were delayed should have been transferred to other aircraft to expedite their departure from Tenerife. The dispute reached a point of absurdity when reports surfaced that Clavijo had allegedly utilized artificial intelligence to argue to the Health Minister that rats—the primary carriers of Hantavirus—are capable of swimming, suggesting a higher risk of contamination.
The central government countered these claims by noting that the port of Granadilla de Abona is a port of general interest, meaning jurisdiction falls under state authority rather than regional control. During a press conference, ministers clarified that the Canary Islands government had been formally invited to participate in the operational coordination but “did not come.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking from a rally in La Línea de la Concepción, defended the central government’s leadership in the crisis, praising the “solidarity of the Canarian people” for accepting the ship’s arrival and asserting that Spain had assumed the responsibility of the emergency “in the first person.”
Current Status and Next Steps
As of Sunday night, 34 passengers remain to be evacuated. The MV Hondius is scheduled to refuel and resupply at 7:00 a.m. On Monday before continuing its journey to the Netherlands.
| Passenger Group | Status | Destination/Action |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Nationals (14) | Evacuated | Quarantine at Hospital Gómez Ulla, Madrid |
| France, UK, NL (Various) | Evacuated | Repatriated to home countries |
| Australia (6) | Pending | Departure scheduled for Monday, 7:00 p.m. |
| Netherlands (18) | Pending | Departure scheduled for Monday afternoon |
| USA (Various) | Pending | Repatriation in progress |
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only. Hantavirus is a serious zoonotic disease. For medical guidance or official health protocols, please consult the World Health Organization (WHO) or your local health authority.
The final checkpoint for the operation will occur on Monday evening, as the last flight to Australia is expected to depart Tenerife South at approximately 7:00 p.m., coinciding with the MV Hondius finally weighing anchor for the Netherlands.
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