The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, with a hantavirus outbreak on board, has begun evacuating its passengers at the Port of Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife. The first five Spaniards were transferred to shore on a medium-sized boat, without setting foot on the terminal. They boarded a UME vehicle and headed to Tenerife Sur Airport to fly directly to the Gómez Ulla Hospital in Madrid, without contact with other travelers.
The logistics of the evacuation: drones and protective suits 🚁
The operation deployed by the UME and Exterior Health shows a high-precision protocol. The asymptomatic passengers were checked by healthcare workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) before disembarking. The disembarkation was carried out with their backs to the media, in small groups, and following a strict choreography. Each evacuee carried only a sealed bag with documentation, a mobile phone, and basic belongings, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination during the transfer.
The cruise of terror: from the pool to isolation on a charter flight 🛩️
While passengers dreamed of cocktails on deck, hantavirus has given them an express tour: from the ship to a launch, from the launch to a UME van, and from there straight to the military hospital, without passing through the souvenir shop. The saddest part is that they couldn't even take the pool towel; only a sealed bag with their phone and documentation. That said, at least the flight was private, like in the old days of luxury.