India Nationals Safe After Hantavirus Scare On Dutch Vessel

The Indian Embassy in Madrid confirmed on Sunday that two Indian nationals aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel MV Hondius are safe and asymptomatic after a reported Hantavirus outbreak triggered health protocols off the coast of Spain’s Canary Islands. The MV Hondius arrived near the Canary Islands carrying around 150 individuals, including the two Indian nationals serving as crew members, and anchored off the Spanish coast amid concerns linked to the outbreak.

The embassy stated that all passengers onboard were later allowed to disembark under protocols established by the World Health Organization and Spanish authorities, and the two Indian crew members showed no symptoms linked to the virus and remained in stable health throughout the process.

Spanish authorities coordinated the evacuation of the two Indian nationals to the Netherlands, where they are expected to undergo quarantine and observation under established health safety procedures.

The Indian Embassy said the Ambassador remains in direct contact with Spanish authorities as well as the affected crew members, and officials added that the situation is being monitored continuously to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals involved.

The court or relevant authorities have not announced the next steps, but monitoring is expected to continue until quarantine procedures in the Netherlands are formally completed, and the Indian Embassy will likely provide further updates on the status of the Indian nationals.