Morocco's Refusal of Medical Aircraft Stopover
In a significant public health decision, Moroccan authorities have refused to grant a stopover to a medical aircraft carrying two patients infected with the hantavirus. The plane, which was on a route from Cape Verde to the Netherlands, had intended to make a technical stop in Marrakech for refueling before continuing its journey to Amsterdam. However, after the Moroccan government's refusal to allow the aircraft entry into its airspace, the Learjet 45 was diverted to Gando Air Base in the Canary Islands. Spanish health authorities assured that there was no public health risk associated with this situation, which was confirmed by multiple sources.
Initially, the aircraft was scheduled to land at Marrakech around 4 PM local time. Reports from Spanish media indicated that the aircraft did not enter Moroccan airspace following the refusal, resulting in its redirection to Gran Canaria. Upon landing at Gando around 4:30 PM, the onboard physician reported a malfunction with a patient’s isolation pump, necessitating the patient to remain on the plane while awaiting transfer to a second medical aircraft that was dispatched to the location.
Strict Protocols During the Incident
Spanish authorities emphasized that the landing permission granted to the medical aircraft came with a strict condition: no one was allowed to board or disembark from the aircraft, including the crew. This requirement was reportedly adhered to diligently, as confirmed by the Spanish government's delegation in the Canary Islands. Additionally, specialized units from the Guardia Civil, trained in handling nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical risks, established a safety perimeter around the aircraft to prevent any potential external exposure.
The medical flight departed from Praia International Airport at 11 AM local time and was supposed to reach Amsterdam after a scheduled stop in Marrakech. Tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated a possibility of an additional stop in Malaga; however, Spanish health services later clarified that the aircraft would no longer make a stop in the Andalusian city. Meanwhile, a separate medical ambulance flight transporting two other evacuees from the MV Hondius successfully reached Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam on the same day. The two patients who remained in Gran Canaria were expected to continue their journey after being transferred to a new medical aircraft.
As reported by barlamane.com.
