Spain evacuates 147 passengers from cruise ship MV Hondius with hantavirus cases

Spain announced the evacuation of 147 passengers and crew members from the MV Hondius cruise ship following confirmed hantavirus cases. Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska stated all procedures follow scientific and technical criteria to prevent virus spread while protecting both passengers and the Canary Islands population. Evacuees will be fully isolated; foreign passengers showing no acute symptoms will be returned to their home countries via dedicated transport without public contact. The 14 Spanish nationals aboard will be transported to Madrid for approximately 45 days of quarantine. The ship's manifest includes crew and passengers from 23 nations. Spanish opposition parties criticized the decision to allow the infected vessel into regional waters.