A medical flight carrying two passengers infected with hantavirus from the cruise ship MV Hondius has made an emergency landing in Gran Canaria. Contrary to initial reports suggesting the plane was refueling, the true reason for the diversion was to repair a malfunctioning isolation bubble designed for patient safety. The aircraft was originally scheduled to land in Marrakech, Morocco, but was denied entry, prompting the flight to redirect to Gran Canaria instead.
The Canary Islands Government has confirmed that the aircraft's landing was necessitated by the need to fix the damaged isolation unit. A government source clarified to the AFP news agency, stating, "It was not a refueling stop; they needed to repair an isolation bubble for a patient." This incident follows a troubling outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, which has resulted in three fatalities and at least five additional infections among its passengers.
The two Dutch passengers, who were evacuated from the cruise ship, departed from Praia International Airport on Santiago Island, Cape Verde, on Wednesday morning. The flight was initially set to stop in Marrakech at 4:00 PM for refueling, but after Morocco's refusal to allow the aircraft to land, it instead touched down in Gran Canaria. Here, it awaits repairs to the isolation bubble or the arrival of a replacement aircraft to continue its journey to Amsterdam.
In response to the situation, the Spanish Government has accepted a request from the World Health Organization (WHO) to allow passengers from the Hondius to disembark in Gran Canaria for medical assessment or repatriation to their home countries. The Ministry of Health made this decision in accordance with international law and a humanitarian spirit.
Additionally, the ship's doctor has been urgently transported to Gran Canaria for immediate medical attention, with plans to return to the Netherlands if their condition improves. The MV Hondius, which has been stranded off the coast of Cape Verde for several days, is now en route to Gran Canaria, where it is expected to dock at the port of Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife. The ship carries a total of 149 individuals, comprising 88 passengers and 61 crew members.
Upon arrival in Tenerife in the coming days, the passengers will receive necessary care and be repatriated according to their health status. The government has assured that the risk of further contagion remains low and is committed to implementing all necessary measures to prevent any outbreaks among the islands' population.
This incident highlights the critical nature of emergency protocols in international travel, especially in the face of health crises. The company operating the ship has also benefited from subsidies provided by the Spanish Government, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund for outermost regions, aimed at ensuring efficient goods transportation in the Canary Islands. "A way to build Europe," as stated by officials.
As reported by okdiario.com.
