Two Indians Safe On Hantavirus-Hit MV Hondius Cruise Ship: Embassy

The Indian Embassy in Madrid on Sunday confirmed that two Indian nationals aboard the Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius are safe and showing no symptoms after the vessel anchored near Spain’s Canary Islands following a confirmed outbreak onboard.

The Dutch-flagged cruise ship carrying around 150 passengers and crew arrived off the Spanish coast after health authorities reported several Hantavirus infections and deaths during the voyage.

Officials disembarked all passengers following protocols set by the WHO and Spanish authorities.

The Embassy confirmed that the two Indian crew members remained healthy and asymptomatic, while authorities evacuated them to the Netherlands for quarantine under international health safety procedures.

The Indian Embassy also said that Ambassador Dinesh K Patnaik remains in close contact with Spanish authorities and the Indian nationals to ensure their well-being and safety. Officials are continuously monitoring the situation as precautionary measures remain in place.

Spanish authorities evacuated passengers from the cruise ship, with the first flight departing the Canary Islands for Madrid on Sunday.

The WHO earlier confirmed that the Hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius had caused three deaths and several suspected infections.

Authorities continue to monitor passengers and crew as the investigation into the outbreak continues.

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