A Spanish Guardia Civil officer died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack while deployed as part of the security operation for the arrival of the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship MV Hondius at the port of Granadilla de Abona, in Tenerife.
The 62-year-old officer collapsed while assisting with the controlled disembarkation of passengers from the MV Hondius, a vessel placed under emergency protocols following a confirmed outbreak of hantavirus—a rare and potentially fatal viral disease—that has claimed multiple lives and infected several passengers and crew members.
The officer was participating in security and coordination work when the death occurred, on a day marked by intense police and health activity due to the complex operation of disembarkation and evacuation. The incident has caused consternation among his colleagues and within the security forces, as it unfolded in the context of an extraordinary operation.
“I would like to express our condolences to the family, to all the Guardia Civil,” said Spain’s health minister Mónica García at a press conference from the port of Granadilla.
Hantavirus Outbreak and International Response
The arrival of the MV Hondius in Tenerife is part of the international response to the hantavirus outbreak detected on board the cruise ship, which forced the evacuation of passengers and their repatriation to their countries of origin under strict health protocols. While Spain has ruled out two suspected cases, international authorities remain vigilant in the face of new confirmed infections in other countries.
Earlier, three people were evacuated from the MV Hondius in Cape Verde over suspected hantavirus, and France has confirmed a new case as the evacuation continues. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged caution but stressed that this is a localised outbreak, not comparable to a pandemic.
The incident also highlights the broader context of the operation, which was preceded by a political standoff in Spain that nearly blocked the ship from docking. Local authorities in Tenerife had expressed concerns about public health risks, but ultimately coordinated a controlled disembarkation.
The death of the officer has cast a shadow over the operation, underscoring the human cost of such emergencies. The Guardia Civil has not released the officer’s name pending family notification, but colleagues have described him as a dedicated professional.
As the MV Hondius remains under quarantine, health authorities continue to monitor passengers and crew for symptoms. The outbreak has prompted a coordinated response across European health agencies, with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) providing guidance.
