TENERIFE, Spain, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia said on Monday that the final group of evacuees from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius will fly to the Netherlands later in the day.

Passengers are sprayed with disinfectant by Spanish government officials before boarding a plane after disembarking from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius at Tenerife airport in the Canary Islands, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (Photo: AP)

Garcia said there are currently 54 people aboard the vessel, 22 of whom will disembark and fly to the Netherlands. The remaining 32, all crew members, will sail to the Netherlands with the cruise ship.

Speaking at a press conference at the Port of Granadilla on the Spanish island of Tenerife, the minister said the Spanish authorities had initially planned two evacuation flights bound for Australia and the Netherlands respectively.

However, passengers originally scheduled to board the Australia-bound flight will be transferred to the Netherlands. The reason for the change was unknown, said Garcia.

Garcia added that since the evacuation operation began, 94 passengers from 19 countries had already been evacuated on Sunday.

She noted that after the ship departs, the Spanish authorities will carry out disinfection work in relevant areas of the port.