The evacuation of British passengers from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak, has begun. A chartered flight is transporting them back to the UK, where they will be isolated at the former Arrowe Park Covid quarantine site.

Evacuation Process Underway

Spanish authorities initiated the evacuation of the ship by nationality after it docked in Tenerife on Sunday morning. The process is expected to conclude by 7 pm on Monday, though 30 crew members will remain on board.

Health Measures and Testing

Before disembarking, British passengers will undergo hantavirus testing. Meanwhile, 14 Spanish nationals have already been flown to a hospital in Madrid for further evaluation. Currently, no passengers on the ship are displaying symptoms of the virus.

Isolation and Monitoring

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is transferring 22 British passengers and crew to the Arrowe Park Hospital for isolation. The ship’s journey has been disrupted by the outbreak, prompting swift action from authorities.

Ongoing Situation

While the evacuation is underway, one passenger who died aboard the ship will remain on board, along with the 30 crew members. The situation remains under close monitoring by health officials.