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Spain says hantavirus ship evacuees need new plane to leave Canaries
Two evacuees from the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius were diverted to Gran Canaria for refuelling after a flight from Cape Verde. A fault in the plane's electrical system means a new aircraft is needed to continue to Amsterdam, while authorities say the patient does not pose a public health risk. The Canary Islands and Spanish authorities discussed next steps, including repatriations from Tenerife, amid regional opposition to landing the ship.
Why It Matters
The incident tests cross-border health crisis management and evacuation logistics in a region already dealing with a suspected hantavirus outbreak, highlighting how political and regional decisions affect medical repatriation.
Timeline
5 Events
Canaries regional government opposes landing the Dutch-flagged ship
May 6, 2026
The Canaries regional government opposed receiving the Dutch-flagged ship, requesting that any medical treatment and repatriations take place from Cape Verde.
Spain's Health Minister: Hondius to reach Tenerife by Saturday
May 6, 2026
Health Minister Monica Garcia said the stricken MV Hondius would arrive at the island of Tenerife by Saturday for medical examinations and repatriations of the passengers.
Flightradar24 shows plan to stop in Malaga before Amsterdam
May 6, 2026
The Flightradar24 monitor indicated the plane was due to carry out another stopover in Malaga before reaching Amsterdam.
Evacuation flight lands in Gran Canaria for refuelling
May 5, 2026
Two evacuees from the ship, on planes that had left Cape Verde with three people aboard, landed at Gran Canaria to refuel after Morocco denied a landing request. The plane's doctor reported a fault in the electrical support system of a patient, so the patient remained on the plane awaiting a new aircraft. The patient was said not to pose a public health risk, and no disembarkation was planned while the issue was resolved. Regional government sources noted that no one would disembark or board due to an isolation bubble break.
UN reports hantavirus deaths linked to MV Hondius
May 3, 2026
The UN health agency was informed that three MV Hondius passengers had died and hantavirus was suspected, marking the outbreak's international attention.