the evacuation of passengers from the cruise ship affected by the hantavirus in Spain | Guatemala Herald News

A month after one of its passengers died from the rare Andean strain, the boat anchored in Spanish waters early this Sunday.

The ship is anchored near the port of Granadilla, in Tenerife.

The operation to evacuate the more than 100 passengers who still remained on the ship has been described by the authorities as “unprecedented.”

Spain and the World Health Organization have taken extreme safety and health measures and have conveyed peace of mind to the local population.

The Minister of Health, Mónica García, stated that the operation “was developing normally” and that all passengers on board the MS Hondius remained asymptomatic.

The vessel anchored in Spanish waters, but was not allowed to enter port. A security perimeter of one nautical mile was imposed.

Early in the morning, with a telephoto lens, passengers could be seen wandering around the ship’s deck or by the windows, all wearing white medical masks, as the first evacuation took place.

Several passengers remained seated, socially distanced, on the first evacuation boat, filming and taking photos as they approached land, where they were greeted by officials in white protective suits.

Cruise passengers being evacuated by boat in the waters of the port of Granadilla. — The evacuated passengers recorded the operation with their cell phones.

Passengers evacuated from the cruise ship wear masks and protection on their clothing to avoid contagion. — They were then received by medical personnel on the ground.

A red bus transports passengers evacuated from the cruise ship. — Divided by nationality, they were put on buses and then taken to the airport.

Evacuated from the cruise ship in one of the buses. — Evacuees will be repatriated on charter planes to their countries of origin.

A charter plane awaits cruise passengers. — The first to be evacuated were the Spanish citizens.

Health personnel spray some of the evacuees with a liquid. — Footage recorded of passengers on the airport tarmac showed staff involved in the operation placing white chemical protection suits over their clothing and then spraying them with a liquid.

The windows of the cruise ship show its crew members before the evacuation. — Fourteen Spanish citizens were the first to disembark, followed by passengers transferred to the Netherlands, including Dutch, Greek and German passengers, and part of the crew.

A yellow plane on the runway in Tenerife — Subsequently, other flights are planned, including destinations to the United Kingdom and the United States. The last evacuation flight is expected to leave for Australia on Monday.

*With additional information from Sarah Rainsford.

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