"The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance to the Irish citizens aboard the MV Hondius. "We are coordinating with our Embassy in Madrid, responsible for the Canary Islands, as well as with colleagues in the Department of Health on support to the citizens," a spokesperson said."
"The European Union is sending two further planes for remaining European citizens, Fernando Grande-Marlaska added. The U.S. and UK have confirmed planes and contingency plans were being arranged for non-EU citizens whose countries were unable to send air transport, he said."
"World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will meet Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid on Saturday afternoon and then travel to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, alongside Spain's interior and health ministers to coordinate the arrival of the ship. It is expected to anchor near the island between 3am GMT and 5am GMT."
"Local authorities have warned the evacuation must take place between Sunday midday and Monday afternoon before conditions at sea are expected to take a turn for the worse until the end of May due to stormy weather. The luxury cruise ship MV Hondius left for Spain on Wednesday from the coast of Cape Verde after the WHO and European Union asked the country to manage the evacuation of passengers onboard after the hantavirus outbreak was detected."
Ireland is providing consular assistance to Irish citizens aboard MV Hondius, coordinating with its embassy in Madrid and with colleagues in the Department of Health. The European Union is sending two additional planes for remaining European citizens. The U.S. and UK have confirmed planes and contingency plans for non-EU citizens whose countries cannot provide air transport. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will meet Spain’s Prime Minister in Madrid and then travel to Tenerife with Spain’s interior and health ministers to coordinate the ship’s arrival. The ship is expected to anchor near the island between 3am and 5am GMT. Evacuation must occur between Sunday midday and Monday afternoon before worsening storm conditions through late May.
Read at Irish Independent
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