Tenerife, Canary Islands – A drone video shows the controlled emergency disembarkation of passengers from the luxury expedition cruise ship MV Hondius at a commercial port in Tenerife, carried out under strict biosafety procedures.

The operation followed an onboard outbreak of hantavirus, specifically the Andes virus strain, which is a rare but serious rodent-borne infection capable of causing severe respiratory illness. The strain is associated with a high fatality rate.

The outbreak is believed to have originated from rodent exposure earlier during the voyage, likely in South America. By May 10–11, 2026, multiple confirmed and probable cases had been reported among passengers, along with at least three deaths and additional positive tests, including among evacuated passengers of different nationalities.

The drone footage shows passengers leaving the MV Hondius under controlled conditions, with Guardia Civil and emergency personnel wearing full protective suits, masks, and gloves positioned along the gangway and pier.

Passengers are carefully guided from the ship and transferred under supervision toward onward transport for medical monitoring and quarantine procedures in their home countries.

Authorities implemented strict separation protocols due to the nature of the virus and the possibility of limited onboard spread, even though no widespread risk to the general public was indicated.

The MV Hondius, a luxury polar expedition cruise ship, became the focus of a large-scale medical and emergency response operation involving coordinated disembarkation and health oversight.

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