UK Evacuates 20 Citizens from Hantavirus-Stricken Cruise Ship in Tenerife

A plane carrying 20 British nationals evacuated from the MV Hondius, a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak, arrived at Manchester Airport on May 10, 2026, according to UK officials and broadcast footage. The flight originated from Tenerife, where the ship has been moored, and the passengers were immediately taken to Arrowe Park Hospital near Liverpool for medical tests.

The UK's National Health Service confirmed the group will remain in initial quarantine for up to 72 hours, with further isolation protocols to be determined based on test results. Two additional British nationals originally on the ship did not return to the UK, as they reside outside the country.

The Spanish government reported that 22 UK citizens were evacuated from the vessel earlier, with coordination between British consular and health authorities. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the repatriation effort on social media, crediting the emergency response teams for executing the return under public health safeguards.

Hantavirus has been confirmed in six individuals among eight suspected cases, the World Health Organization said on May 8, 2026. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths—a Dutch couple and a German woman—while others aboard have shown symptoms. The WHO chief arrived in Spain to coordinate international response efforts, and the US is preparing a separate evacuation flight for its citizens.

The UK health authorities will review the next steps for the quarantined group after the initial 72-hour assessment period, while ongoing monitoring continues for other passengers and crew still aboard or in foreign care.