The large-scale international operation launched in Tenerife following the arrival of the MV Hondius cruise ship is now entering its final phase, after 94 passengers were evacuated from the port of Granadilla de Abona yesterday, Sunday.
These passengers (14 Spanish, 5 French, 4 Canadians, 26 from the Netherlands, 22 from the United Kingdom, 2 from Ireland, 3 from Turkey, and 17 from the United States) left the Canary Islands on seven coordinated military or medical flights arranged by their relevant countries in collaboration with Spain’s Ministry of Health.
Final flights scheduled
Health authorities have confirmed that the final two evacuation flights are due to depart today, Monday. One flight will carry six passengers to Australia, while a second, organised by the Netherlands, will transport the remaining 18 passengers back to their country.
By later on this afternoon, all passengers will have disembarked, and only 34 crew members will remain onboard as the vessel continues its journey back to the Netherlands.
Refuelling of the MV Hondius is scheduled for around 7:00am before the evacuation process is formally concluded.
WHO recommends 42-day quarantine
The WHO has recommended a 42-day quarantine period with active monitoring for those identified as close contacts of the outbreak from 10th May onwards. However, each country will ultimately decide the specific measures applied based on its own risk assessment.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, sought to calm concerns, stressing that the virus involved is not comparable to COVID-19. “This virus has nothing to do with COVID,” he said, explaining that hantavirus transmission risk begins only once symptoms appear.
Isolated cases under monitoring
Spain’s Health Ministry confirmed that two Spanish women isolated after contact with an affected passenger have tested negative in their first PCR tests.
One passenger transferred to Alicante will require a third test after developing symptoms, while another in Barcelona continues under observation despite showing no compatible symptoms.
Meanwhile, a passenger evacuated to France developed symptoms during the flight. Spanish authorities stated this was a scenario already anticipated, with French health officials now applying their own protocols.
Protection concerns addressed
The Health Minister, Mònica García, described the operation as having taken place with “total normality and safety”, despite images circulating on social media that appeared to show inconsistencies in protective measures.
She clarified that one widely shared photograph showed a Health Ministry psychiatrist accompanying Spanish passengers for emotional support, who removed protective equipment in accordance with airport protocol.
Although some passengers were seen briefly lowering masks on buses organised by foreign delegations, García emphasised that none of those evacuated were confirmed hantavirus cases — only close contacts under precautionary monitoring.
Political tensions continue
The operation has also sparked political disagreement between Spain’s central government and the Canary Islands administration.
Asked about criticism from Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo, the Health Minister declined to escalate tensions, stating that the operation had “gone extremely well”. She also noted that the regional government had been invited to participate in the coordination at Granadilla but did not attend.
The evacuation marks the closing chapter of an unprecedented health response operation in Tenerife, closely watched both nationally and internationally.
