Spanish health authorities are evacuating approximately 150 passengers [1] from the cruise ship MV Hondius at the Port of Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife.

The operation follows an outbreak of the Hanta virus on board the vessel. Because the virus can cause severe respiratory and renal issues, the evacuation is being conducted under strict health and security measures to prevent further transmission.

Officials began the evacuation on May 10, 2026 [2]. The process involves moving passengers from the ship to the shore while health teams monitor for symptoms. The Port of Granadilla de Abona has become the center of the containment effort as Spanish authorities work to isolate the affected environment.

Despite the presence of the virus, early reports indicate that the situation remains stable. The Spanish Health Minister said that the evacuation operations are proceeding normally and that everyone on board the ship has shown no symptoms of illness so far.

Spanish health authorities are continuing to implement rigorous screening protocols for all individuals leaving the vessel. These measures are designed to ensure that the virus does not spread beyond the port area, into the general population of Tenerife.

The MV Hondius remains under strict surveillance while the source of the outbreak is investigated. The focus for the Spanish government is the safe transit of the 150 passengers [1], and the eventual disinfection of the ship's interior spaces.

“Spanish health authorities are evacuating approximately 150 passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius”

The rapid mobilization of Spanish health authorities highlights the high risk associated with viral outbreaks in confined environments like cruise ships. By evacuating passengers before symptoms appeared, officials are attempting to prevent a localized cluster from becoming a wider public health crisis in Tenerife.