Two Indians aboard Hantavirus-hit MV Hondius are safe, says Embassy
Synopsis
Two Indian crew members aboard the Hantavirus-stricken polar cruise ship MV Hondius are safe and asymptomatic, the Indian Embassy in Madrid confirmed. Evacuated to the Netherlands for quarantine, their status offers a rare positive note in an outbreak that has already claimed three lives aboard the Oceanwide Expeditions vessel.
Key Takeaways
The Embassy of India in Madrid confirmed on 11 May that two Indian nationals aboard MV Hondius are safe and asymptomatic.
Both Indians were travelling as crew members and have been evacuated to the Netherlands for quarantine per health safety protocols.
The Hantavirus outbreak aboard MV Hondius has resulted in three deaths and multiple suspected infections, according to the WHO .
The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions , departed Ushuaia, Argentina on 20 March and was carrying around 150 individuals .
India's Ambassador in Madrid is in direct contact with Spanish authorities and the two Indian crew members and is closely monitoring the situation.
The Embassy of India in Madrid, Spain, confirmed on Sunday, 11 May that two Indian nationals aboard the Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius are safe and asymptomatic. The Dutch-flagged polar expedition vessel, carrying around 150 individuals including the two Indian crew members, arrived in Spain on Sunday after anchoring off the coast of the Canary Islands amid a confirmed Hantavirus outbreak.
What Happened Aboard MV Hondius
The MV Hondius, a 107.6-metre expedition cruise vessel operated by tour company Oceanwide Expeditions, departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina on 20 March and was originally scheduled to complete its voyage in Cape Verde on 4 May. The ship is designed to carry up to 170 passengers in 80 cabins, along with 57 crew members, 13 guides, and one onboard doctor. A confirmed Hantavirus outbreak aboard the vessel resulted in three deaths and multiple suspected infections, prompting international health authorities to intervene.
How the Two Indians Were Evacuated
Passengers disembarked from the ship in accordance with protocols established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Spanish authorities. According to the Spanish National Centre for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination (CENEM), the two Indian nationals — both travelling as crew members — have been evacuated to the Netherlands, where they will be placed under quarantine as per relevant health safety protocols. The first plane carrying Spanish passengers evacuated from the ship departed from Spain's Canary Islands for Madrid on Sunday.
Embassy's Response and Monitoring
The Indian Embassy stated that the Ambassador is in close contact with both Spanish authorities and the two Indian crew members, and is regularly monitoring the situation to ensure their well-being and safety. The Embassy confirmed that the two individuals remain healthy and show no symptoms of the disease.
WHO's Assessment of the Outbreak
On 4 May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it is monitoring and supporting a public health incident aboard a cruise vessel sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, where a Hantavirus outbreak has been confirmed, resulting in three deaths and multiple suspected infections. This comes amid growing global scrutiny of health preparedness protocols on expedition cruise vessels operating in remote polar regions, where medical evacuation timelines are significantly longer than on conventional routes.
Point of View
The MV Hondius outbreak also raises a broader question about health preparedness on polar expedition cruises — remote routes where the nearest hospital can be days away and where an onboard doctor and a single quarantine protocol may be the only line of defence. With three deaths already confirmed and WHO actively monitoring the situation, the international cruise industry faces fresh pressure to mandate stricter biosafety standards for high-risk expedition itineraries.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the two Indian nationals aboard the Hantavirus cruise ship safe?
Yes. The Embassy of India in Madrid confirmed on 11 May that both Indian nationals aboard MV Hondius are safe and asymptomatic. They have been evacuated to the Netherlands, where they are under quarantine as per health safety protocols.
What is the MV Hondius and what happened aboard it?
MV Hondius is a 107.6-metre polar expedition cruise vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. A confirmed Hantavirus outbreak aboard the ship resulted in three deaths and multiple suspected infections, prompting WHO monitoring and evacuation by Spanish and international health authorities.
Where are the two Indian crew members now?
According to the Spanish National Centre for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination (CENEM), the two Indian crew members have been evacuated to the Netherlands, where they will remain under quarantine in line with relevant health safety protocols.
What is Hantavirus and why is this outbreak significant?
Hantavirus is a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted primarily through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. This outbreak is significant because it occurred aboard a cruise vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in three confirmed deaths — an unusual setting for such an outbreak — and triggered a WHO-level public health response.
What is the Indian Embassy doing to help the affected nationals?
The Indian Ambassador in Madrid is in direct and regular contact with both the two Indian crew members and Spanish authorities. The Embassy is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals involved.
