A medical evacuation flight transporting two patients suspected of having contracted the Hantavirus from Cape Verde to the Netherlands was forced to change its course towards the Spanish Canary Islands due to a technical malfunction affecting its health isolation system. This unexpected turn of events was further complicated by Moroccan authorities denying the flight permission to land at Marrakech Airport for necessary technical repairs.
According to reports from Spanish media outlets, the aircraft had taken off from Praia International Airport in Cape Verde, heading towards Amsterdam as part of an evacuation operation linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. This ship has been under international health alert after cases suspected of Hantavirus infection were reported on board.
The initial flight plan included a technical stop at Marrakech Airport for refueling; however, a sudden issue arose with the "health isolation bubble" within the aircraft—an essential system designed to prevent the transmission of infections during patient transport. This prompted the crew to urgently request permission to land for necessary repairs.
Despite the urgency of the situation, Moroccan authorities did not grant the aircraft landing rights, leading to a diversion to Gran Canaria Airport in Spain, which was the nearest alternative capable of addressing both the technical and health-related issues of the aircraft.
The Spanish government delegation in the Canary Islands confirmed that the landing was permitted under strict conditions, notably prohibiting any passengers from disembarking or boarding the plane. This protocol was reportedly adhered to throughout the technical stop.
Air traffic reports indicated that the flight was likely to resume its journey to Amsterdam within a few hours; however, subsequent adjustments to the flight plan were made, including the potential for a stop in Malaga, Spain, before reaching the Netherlands.
This incident unfolds within the broader context of an international health mobilization associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius, which is carrying 146 individuals and has raised alarms due to suspected Hantavirus infections. This rare virus, primarily transmitted through rodents, currently lacks a vaccine or specific treatment.
As reported by ar.telquel.ma.
