Ask Onix
Cruise ship with hantavirus outbreak nears Tenerife
Residents of the Spanish island of Tenerife are divided over the impending arrival of the MV Hondius, a cruise ship carrying passengers infected with hantavirus. The vessel, which departed from Cape Verde, is set to dock this weekend under an agreement between the Spanish government and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dock workers protest over health risks
On Friday, port workers in Santa Cruz demonstrated outside the Canary Islands' parliament, expressing frustration over the lack of safety measures and information regarding the ship's arrival. Protesters blew whistles, sounded vuvuzelas, and held banners demanding clarity on how the situation would be managed.
"We're unhappy at the idea of being allowed to work in a port without special safety measures or information when an infected boat is approaching," said Joana Batista, a representative of a local port workers' union.
Joana Batista, Port Workers' Union
Some workers have threatened to block the ship's arrival if their demands for protective measures are not met. Batista emphasized the need for transparency, stating, "Local people need to be told how this will affect them, how the passengers will be transported. We need reassurance above all."
Residents voice frustration over repeated crises
Nutritionist María de la Luz Sedeño, who observed the protest, shared the demonstrators' concerns and expressed broader frustration with the central government's handling of crises in the Canary Islands. She criticized the government for disregarding the opposition voiced by Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands region, and for what she described as a lack of consideration for local residents.
"This is the last straw when it comes to everything the people of the Canary Islands have to put up with," she said, referencing the ongoing arrival of undocumented migrants from North and West Africa.
María de la Luz Sedeño, Nutritionist
Sedeño's comments reflect a deep-seated frustration among some islanders, who feel their territory is repeatedly thrust into the spotlight due to international crises. In 2025 alone, over 3,000 people died attempting to reach the Canary Islands by boat, according to the NGO Caminando Fronteras.
Government outlines safety measures
The Spanish government has sought to address concerns by detailing plans for the ship's arrival. Instead of docking directly in Tenerife, the MV Hondius will anchor offshore, and passengers will be ferried to the industrial port of Granadilla in the southeast, away from residential areas. Passengers will then be repatriated or, in the case of the 14 Spanish nationals on board, taken to Madrid for quarantine.
Virginia Barcones, head of Spain's civil protection agency, assured the public that there would be no contact between passengers and local residents, stating, "They will be absolutely and completely protected."
Mixed reactions among islanders
While some residents remain skeptical, others have been reassured by the government's plans. Marialaina Retina Fernández, a pensioner, expressed cautious optimism after learning more about the safety measures.
"Now I'm a bit calmer because there's more information. It's not ideal that they all end up coming here, but if [the authorities] say they'll do everything possible to make sure nobody gets infected, let's hope that's how it is."
Marialaina Retina Fernández, Tenerife Resident
Retina Fernández acknowledged the islands' history of managing international crises, including the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a German tourist on La Gomera became Spain's first identified case. Despite the challenges, she struck a resilient tone, saying, "We're used to all sorts of problems arriving here. You can see that we're good at managing these situations."
Political fallout and comparisons to migration
The far-right Vox party has sought to capitalize on the situation, drawing parallels between the cruise ship's arrival and the ongoing issue of undocumented migration. The WHO and the Spanish government have dismissed such comparisons, emphasizing that the current situation is not akin to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pope Leo is scheduled to visit the Canary Islands in June, where he is expected to meet with migrants and organizations assisting them, further highlighting the region's role in international humanitarian efforts.
