A medical evacuation flight transporting two patients suspected of being infected with hantavirus from Cape Verde to the Netherlands made an unexpected stop in Gran Canaria around 4:00 PM after Morocco refused entry for refueling. The patients were aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has raised health concerns among authorities.
According to sources from the Government Delegation and the Canary Islands Health Department, this unscheduled stop was confirmed when they learned of the medical plane's situation. The flight had initially departed from Praia International Airport at 11:00 AM, planning to refuel in Marrakech before continuing to Amsterdam, where it was scheduled to arrive at 5:00 PM local time.
Just before 4:00 PM, the flight was redirected to Gran Canaria, where it is currently located. Officials indicated that the stop was authorized under the condition that no passengers disembark or board the aircraft. "This is merely a technical stop for refueling before continuing on the planned route," they clarified.
The MV Hondius cruise ship, carrying 147 people, has been at the center of tensions between the Spanish government and the Canary Islands authorities. The Spanish government agreed to a request from the World Health Organization to transfer the ship to Tenerife, a decision that faces opposition from the autonomous community.
As reported by diariodeavisos.elespanol.com.
