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Ukrainian Crew Stays Aboard Virus-Hit MV Hondius to Guide It Safely to Europe

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
News Writer
The MV Hondius arrives in the Granadilla Port on May 10, 2026, in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain. (Source: Getty Images)
The MV Hondius arrives in the Granadilla Port on May 10, 2026, in Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands, Spain. (Source: Getty Images)

Four of the five Ukrainian crew members aboard the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius will remain on board to help guide the vessel to the Netherlands following a deadly hantavirus outbreak that killed three people, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, cited by Ukrinform on May 11.

According to the ministry, the four Ukrainians currently show no signs of illness and will remain part of the crew during the ship’s transit to the Netherlands. After arrival, they are expected to be placed under medical supervision and quarantine.

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A fifth Ukrainian crew member is set to leave the vessel as part of a partial evacuation operation and will be transported to the Netherlands on a special flight. Ukrainian consular officials remain in contact with the individual, the ministry added.

The Foreign Ministry said the case is under “special control” by Ukraine’s Consular Service Department as well as Ukrainian diplomatic missions in the Netherlands, Spain, and the Ukrainian consulate in Málaga.

The outbreak occurred aboard the MV Hondius while the ship was operating in the Atlantic Ocean. According to previously published reports, three people died following a hantavirus outbreak during the voyage.

Based on the vessel’s published itinerary, the ship departed from Ushuaia  on March 20 and was scheduled to conclude its expedition in Cape Verde  on May 4.

South African Health Ministry spokesperson Foster Mohale said the vessel had approximately 150 tourists from multiple countries on board.

Hantavirus is a rare but potentially severe viral disease typically transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. Symptoms can range from flu-like illness to serious respiratory complications.

Earlier, the Ministry stated that the Ukrainians, who are part of the ship’s crew, have shown no signs of the disease.

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Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province, Argentina. With a population of 82,615 and a location below the 54th parallel south latitude, Ushuaia claims the title of world’s southernmost city.

Cape Verde is an archipelagic country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.

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