Hantavirus Cruise Passengers Evacuated After Wind Forces Emergency Port Stop In Tenerife

The final group of passengers aboard the MV Hondius has disembarked at the port of Granadilla after strong winds and changing sea conditions forced the vessel to dock for safety reasons.

The ship had been affected by a hantavirus outbreak and was brought into Tenerife after worsening weather made continued travel unsafe. Six passengers and twenty crew members were safely brought ashore following the decision to keep the ship in port only for the minimum time needed to complete the evacuation.

Maritime authorities made the call as wind strength and wave conditions increased around the harbour, creating difficult conditions for operations at sea.

After disembarkation, the group was transported by buses from Spain’s military emergency unit to Tenerife South Airport. The MV Hondius departed the port shortly after and set sail for the Netherlands.

At the airport, two flights were arranged. One carried crew members, while the other transported four Australian passengers, one New Zealander, and one British citizen.

Officials confirmed that the docking was ordered due to changing weather conditions, with safety as the priority during the final evacuation stage.

Regional authorities said the operation should be completed safely, as quickly as possible, allowing the ship to continue its journey to the Netherlands.