Hantavirus ship MV Hondius: First evacuation flight leaves Canary Islands
Synopsis
The MV Hondius hantavirus evacuation is underway, with Spain's Military Emergencies Unit and Civil Guard executing a tightly controlled repatriation of 14 nationals from Tenerife. With WHO's chief personally writing to island residents — stressing 'This is not another COVID' — the operation is as much about managing public fear as it is about managing a disease outbreak.
Key Takeaways
The first evacuation flight carrying 14 Spanish nationals ( 13 passengers , 1 crew member ) departed Tenerife South Airport for Madrid on Sunday, 11 May 2025 .
Spain's Military Emergencies Unit and Civil Guard coordinated the transfer from the Port of Granadilla .
Evacuees are being isolated at the Gómez Ulla Central Defence Hospital near Madrid.
All remaining passengers aboard MV Hondius are confirmed asymptomatic by Spanish Health Minister Mónica García .
Australian citizens and Netherlands -bound passengers face repatriation flights on Monday .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated the public health risk from hantavirus remains low .
The first plane carrying Spanish passengers evacuated from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius departed from Spain's Canary Islands for Madrid on Sunday, 11 May 2025, marking the beginning of a coordinated multi-nation repatriation operation. The group comprised 14 Spanish nationals — 13 passengers and one crew member — who were the first to disembark from the vessel.
How the Evacuation Unfolded
Buses operated by Spain's Military Emergencies Unit transported the evacuees directly from the Port of Granadilla to the runway of Tenerife South Airport under the escort of the Spanish Civil Guard. The vehicles were equipped with sanitary protection measures as part of Spain's emergency deployment plan. Health authorities, emergency services, and police forces from the Canary Islands also participated in the joint operation.
The evacuees are being transferred to the Torrejón de Ardoz air base near Madrid before completing isolation procedures at the Gómez Ulla Central Defence Hospital, according to Spanish authorities.
What Spanish Authorities Said
Spanish Health Minister Mónica García confirmed the operation was proceeding under
Point of View
' a contingency that underscores how uneven international emergency-response capacity remains. Hantavirus is not a novel threat, but its appearance on a cruise ship in a major European tourist hub tests whether post-pandemic protocols translate from paper to practice.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak?
The MV Hondius is a cruise ship that experienced a hantavirus outbreak among its passengers and crew. The vessel docked at the Canary Islands, prompting a coordinated evacuation and repatriation operation involving multiple countries and Spain's military emergency services.
What is hantavirus and how dangerous is it?
Hantavirus is a rodent-borne viral disease that can cause severe respiratory illness in humans. The WHO has confirmed that the current public health risk from the MV Hondius outbreak remains low, and all remaining passengers aboard the ship are reportedly asymptomatic.
Where are the Spanish evacuees being taken?
The 14 Spanish nationals evacuated from MV Hondius are being transferred to the Torrejón de Ardoz air base near Madrid, after which they will complete isolation procedures at the Gómez Ulla Central Defence Hospital.
When will the remaining passengers be repatriated?
The final repatriation flight carrying Australian citizens is expected to depart on Monday. The Netherlands is also sending a 'sweep flight' on Monday afternoon to collect passengers not yet repatriated by their home countries.
What did the WHO say about the risk to Canary Islands residents?
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote an open letter to Canary Islands residents on Saturday, stating 'This is not another COVID' and confirming that the public health risk from hantavirus remains low. WHO experts and medical supplies were already aboard the vessel.
