Hantavirus-hit ship to reach Tenerife on Sunday — Spanish health minister

Spain's Health Minister Monica Garcia said on Saturday (May 9) the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius is expected to arrive before dawn on Sunday in the Canary Islands.

Miguel Gutierrez/Reuters

9 May 2026 at 12:01:45

Hantavirus-hit ship to reach Tenerife on Sunday — Spanish health minister

A drone view of the cruise ship MV Hondius, carrying passengers suspected of having cases of hantavirus on board, leaves Praia, Cape Verde, May 6, 2026.

Stringer/Reuters

Spain's Health Minister Monica Garcia said on Saturday (May 9) the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius is expected to arrive before dawn on Sunday in the Canary Islands.

Spaniards will be the first ones to disembark at the Granadilla port and all passengers and staff involved will be using an FFP2 mask, Garcia said at a press conference in Madrid.

Garcia added the deceased body will remain on board and that a final disinfection will take place in the Netherlands after all the evacuations are carried out.

The Hondius was en route on Friday to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and was expected to dock there early on Sunday. Arriving passengers and crew will be screened before disembarking under guidelines still being finalised by the WHO and other health agencies.

Production: Miguel Gutierrez/Reuters