TENERIFE — A cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak arrived early Sunday near the Port of Granadilla in Tenerife, where authorities are preparing to evacuate passengers and part of the crew, according to Reuters footage and Spanish officials.

The vessel, identified as the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, will anchor offshore as health authorities begin medical screening and controlled disembarkation.

Spanish officials said passengers, none of whom have shown symptoms of infection, will be tested by health authorities to confirm they remain asymptomatic before being transported to shore via small boats.

They will then be transferred using sealed buses to Tenerife’s main airport, about 10 minutes away, where they will board flights to their respective countries.

Authorities said all passengers are considered high-risk contacts as a precautionary measure, following guidance from Europe’s public health agency as part of rapid scientific advice.

The evacuation is expected to begin between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. local time (0630–0700 GMT), with Spanish nationals scheduled to disembark first, followed by other nationalities in groups.

Meanwhile, 30 crew members will remain onboard and sail the vessel to the Netherlands, where it will undergo disinfection.

The ship departed for Spain on Wednesday from the coast of Cape Verde after the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union requested assistance in managing the evacuation following the outbreak.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Tenerife on Saturday evening alongside Spanish ministers to coordinate the response.

The World Health Organization said eight people have fallen ill, including three deaths—a Dutch couple and a German national. Six cases have been confirmed as hantavirus infections, while two remain suspected.

Health officials said hantavirus is typically spread by rodents but can rarely be transmitted between humans. The WHO has assessed the global risk as low, but classified the risk for passengers and crew onboard the ship as moderate.—Reuters