Spanish Authorities Execute Military-Style Operation for Hantavirus-Affected Ship Passengers

Spanish authorities are implementing a meticulously planned military-style operation to safely disembark 147 passengers and crew from the MV Hondius, which is affected by hantavirus. As the ship approaches Tenerife, the operation is under pressure due to impending adverse weather conditions. Passengers will be transported in small groups to a secure area before being taken to the airport for repatriation. Local residents express concerns about health risks and the impact on tourism, leading to protests. This operation highlights the complexities of managing an international health crisis involving multiple countries. The world watches closely as authorities work to resolve this challenging situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 22:23 IST

Military Operation for Safe Disembarkation

Spanish officials are orchestrating a meticulously planned military-style operation to safely disembark the remaining 147 passengers and crew from the MV Hondius, which has been affected by hantavirus, as it approaches Tenerife early Sunday morning. The operation is under pressure due to forecasts of worsening weather conditions starting Monday.

Detailed and Controlled Disembarkation Plan

The Dutch-registered expedition vessel is anticipated to enter Canarian waters between 3 AM and 5 AM on Sunday. It will anchor offshore at Granadilla de Abona's industrial port on the southeast coast of Tenerife, without docking. Passengers will be ferried in small groups of five via tender boats to a designated secure area at the port. From there, they will be transported in specially equipped vehicles directly to Tenerife South Airport, a short 13-minute journey, avoiding any interaction with the local populace or public terminals.

Spanish nationals (14 individuals) will be flown to Madrid and quarantined at the Gómez Ulla military hospital.
Foreign passengers will be taken directly from the port to their repatriation flights.

Regional spokesperson Alfonso Cabello indicated that operations are set to commence at dawn, aiming to complete the disembarkation and have the ship depart by Monday.

Weather Complicates Operations

Authorities are racing against time as weather forecasts predict a significant decline in conditions starting Monday, which could hinder any further transfers. If the disembarkation is not completed in time, the ship will continue its journey to the Netherlands with any remaining passengers still onboard.

Local Concerns and Protests

The impending arrival has sparked considerable anxiety among residents. Many locals and port workers are apprehensive about the potential health risks and the implications for Tenerife's vital tourism sector. Dock workers at Granadilla have declared they will not participate in the operation, citing insufficient safety measures for such a biological threat. Protests have already erupted in both Tenerife and nearby Gran Canaria.

Local holiday rental owner Patricia Fernández Bueno voiced the prevalent concerns: “We all want passengers to return safely, but we are worried about how this will affect our health and our businesses, which rely on tourism.”

Health and Safety Measures in Place

All personnel involved—bus drivers, maritime staff, police, and health workers—have been assigned specific levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) and strict distancing protocols. Passengers will undergo testing onboard prior to disembarkation. Those exhibiting symptoms but not in need of immediate medical attention will still be repatriated to their home countries. The island has arranged medical resources in case any passenger requires urgent care.

Thirty crew members will remain on the ship to navigate it back to the Netherlands for thorough disinfection, along with the body of one deceased passenger.

International Collaboration

Countries with nationals aboard are dispatching aircraft to Tenerife. The 22 British passengers are expected to be tested on the ship and flown directly back to the UK, where they will self-isolate for 45 days. The Netherlands has agreed to take responsibility for non-essential crew members. Officials from the Canary Islands have emphasized that no one will be allowed to leave the ship unless their flight is ready on the runway at the airport.

This highly controlled operation underscores the significant challenge of managing an international health crisis involving citizens from 23 different nations and a rare virus that can transmit between individuals. The world will be closely observing Tenerife this weekend as authorities strive to resolve this complex and sensitive situation safely.