Daijiworld Media Network - Madrid
Madrid, May 11: The Embassy of India in Spain has confirmed that two Indian nationals aboard the Hantavirus-affected cruise ship MV Hondius are safe, healthy, and showing no symptoms of infection.
The Embassy said on Sunday that the Dutch-flagged expedition vessel, carrying around 150 passengers and crew including two Indians, arrived off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands amid a health alert triggered by a confirmed Hantavirus outbreak onboard.
According to the Embassy, disembarkation of passengers was carried out following protocols issued by the World Health Organization and Spanish health authorities.
The Embassy further stated that the two Indian crew members were asymptomatic at the time of evacuation and have since been transferred to the Netherlands, where they will undergo quarantine in line with established health safety procedures.
Spanish authorities, including the National Centre for Emergency Monitoring and Coordination (CENEM), are overseeing the medical response and monitoring all evacuees from the vessel.
The Embassy of India in Madrid added that it is in continuous contact with local authorities as well as the Indian nationals involved, and that the Indian Ambassador is personally overseeing the situation to ensure their safety and well-being.
The incident comes after the World Health Organization confirmed earlier this month that it was monitoring a public health emergency aboard the MV Hondius, where an outbreak of Hantavirus had been detected. The outbreak has reportedly resulted in three deaths and several suspected infections among those onboard.
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is an expedition cruise ship designed to carry up to 170 passengers along with crew, guides, and medical staff. The vessel had departed Ushuaia in southern Argentina on March 20 and was scheduled to complete its voyage in Cape Verde on May 4 before the outbreak disrupted its journey.
Spanish authorities have since begun evacuation procedures, including transporting affected passengers to Madrid, while continuing health screening and containment measures in coordination with international health agencies.