GRANADILLA de ABONA, Spain – The final evacuation flight for occupants of a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak that has sparked international alarm will leave the Canary Islands on Monday, Spain’s health minister said on Sunday.
But all passengers are asymptomatic and were undergoing a final medical assessment before their disembarkation, Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia told reporters on Tenerife shortly before the operation was due to start.
“The last flight of the entire procedure is scheduled for tomorrow, which is the flight to Australia,” she said.
The ship’s 14 Spaniards would leave first, followed by a Dutch flight that would also take citizens from Germany, Belgium, Greece and part of the crew, Garcia said.
Separate flights for Canadian, Turkish, French, British, Irish and US citizens were also planned for Sunday, added Garcia.
Regional authorities have warned that adverse weather conditions would force the vessel to leave from Monday. – AFP
