Anger and resignation in Tenerife as hantavirus ship approaches

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Anger and resignation in Tenerife as hantavirus ship approaches14 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleGuy HedgecoeTenerifeReutersProtesters in Tenerife campaigning against the arrival of MV HondiusAs the MV Hondius cruise ship approaches Tenerife, the people of the Spanish island await it with a mixture of uncertainty and, in some cases, anger. The Spanish government has agreed with the World Health Organization (WHO) that the passengers of the vessel, which has seen an outbreak of the hantavirus, should be allowed to disembark there this weekend. It has travelled from Cape Verde, where three people were evacuated due to illness.

On Friday, some Tenerife dock workers gathered outside the Canary Islands' parliament building in the town of Santa Cruz, to voice concerns that the imminent arrival could pose a health risk for them. They blew whistles, sounded vuvuzelas and brandished banners. Worldwide race to trace passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise shipWhat is hantavirus and how does it spread?

The Details

"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, of a local port workers' union, who was taking part. Some of her colleagues have threatened to block the arrival of the cruise ship if their demands are not met. "If the boat is going to stop here, then it can do so, but with the necessary measures in place," she said.

"Local people need to be told how this will affect them, how the passengers will be transported. We need reassurance above all. "Nearby, watching the protest, was nutritionist María de la Luz Sedeño, who agreed with much of what the demonstrators were demanding and could barely contain her fury.

"This is the last straw when it comes to everything the people of the Canary Islands have to put up with," she said - an apparent reference to the continuing arrival of thousands of undocumented migrants in boats from North and West Africa. For some Canary islanders, hosting migrants is a source of pride - while for others, like Sedeño, it is a cause of frustration. But they all seem to agree that migration makes their territory the focus of an international drama.

What Experts Say

More than 3,000 people died in 2025 trying to reach the Canary Islands, often in makeshift dinghies, according to NGO Caminando Fronteras. Pope Leo is due to visit in June and meet migrants and organisations dedicated to helping them. María de la Luz Sedeño cited the fact that the central government had disregarded staunch opposition to the cruise ship's arrival voiced by the president of the Canary Islands region, Fernando Clavijo.

"The people here are not being listened to. "ReutersMV Hondius (pictured) was not allowed to dock in Cape VerdeThe Socialist-led central government has responded to the accusations of high-handedness and lack of transparency by providing details of the boat's arrival this weekend.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.