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Canary Islands leader rejects 'rat virus' cruise ship over 'public safety' fears

The future of MV Hondius the luxury Dutch cruise liner struck by a suspected 'rat virus' outbreak has become unclear after a row broke out over whether the ship should dock in the Canary Islands

[Medics approaching the cruise ship on an ambulance boat]

Medics approaching the cruise ship on an ambulance boat(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The 'rat virus' cruise ship will not be docking in the Canary Islands, the leader of the holiday hotspot has declared. The quarantined luxury cruise liner is docked at Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa since a suspected outbreak of deadly Hantavirus ripped through the vessel.

There have been three deaths associated with the outbreak on MV Hondius, where passengers are living under strict covid-era restrictions. Yesterday, the Spanish Health Ministry confirmed plans for the ship to dock in the Canaries.

However, the leader of the holiday region Fernando Clavijo rejected the plans. "This decision is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the public or guarantee their safety," he told radio station COPE.

[Canary Islands leader Fernando Clavijo]

Canary Islands leader Fernando Clavijo(Image: Ignacio Lopez Isasmendi/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

The statement from the Spanish health ministry said the islands had an "obligation" to host the ship because they are the closest location with the necessary capabilities to treat patients onboard the cursed cruiser. It added: Spain has a moral and legal obligation to assist these people, among whom are also several Spanish citizens.

Canary Islands spokesman Alfonso Cabello told Spanish TV station Telecinco: We cant understand why theres been a change in the strategy that had been adopted without us being told. If the situation on the ship is one of relative calm which appears to be the case, why are passengers and crew going to be subjected to three of four more days at sea so they can reach the Canary Islands.

Why not evacuate them directly via the international airport in Cape Verde? We are talking about a virus that, according to the specialists we have heard, seems to pose no risk between humans but other specialists are not saying the same.

[The scenes have sparked pandemic fears]

The scenes have sparked pandemic fears(Image: AP)

"We do not exactly know what strain it is, whether it has mutated or not. I believe that this lack of information is creating a certain state of nervousness among professionals themselves and the population.

It comes as the location of a gravely ill British medic scheduled to be airlifted to a Canary Islands hospital from the Dutch cruise liner remained unclear. Spanish media claimed an air ambulance had transported the doctor from MV Hondius off Cape Verde to Our Lady of Candelaria University Hospital in Tenerife's capital Santa Cruz overnight.

However, Canary Islands government spokesman Alfonso Cabello maintained this morning: "The information we have right now is that the flight that was due to bring that doctor to the Canary Islands has been cancelled and that airlift has not occurred."

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