Spanish Plague Ship Evacuees Arrive In Madrid
A Spanish Air Force Airbus 310 has evacuated the 14 Spanish nationals aboard the stricken MV Hondius cruise ship which docked in Tenerife yesterday, Sunday 10th May.
Earlier the Spanish Civil Guard had mounted a major evacuation operation from the ship for the remaining 300 passengers and crew.
Passengers are being expatriated to their home countries by special military flights while the Spanish nationals arrived yesterday afternoon and taken to the Gomez Ulla military hospital in Madrid where they are being held in quarantine for up to 40 days.
The Spanish Civil Guard said: “The vessel had to dock due to strong winds and rough seas. The passengers will head to Tenerife South Airport in three different convoys.”
And the Spanish Ministry of the Interior said: “Mission accomplished. The MV Hondius is now sailing towards the Netherlands.
“The evacuation has concluded successfully thanks to an unprecedented operation involving the Ministry of the Interior and demonstrating the strength of the National Civil Protection System and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), said later on 11th May: “MV Hondius has now left the shores of Tenerife. All passengers have safely disembarked and are either on their way or have arrived home.
“Spain executed this complex operation in style and I’m not surprised — I witnessed outstanding leadership, professionalism and expertise.
“But the work is not over. WHO continues to work closely with experts from all the countries involved. We have requested that they report to WHO on the health and well-being of passengers and crew through the IHR [International Health Regulations] platform weekly.
“Continued international coordination is essential to protect everyone’s health.”
Hantaviruses are potentially fatal and are carried by rodents. They can spread to humans through contact with infected animals or their droppings, according to health authorities.
