The Indian Embassy in Spain confirmed the evacuation of two Indian crew members from the MV Hondius amid a hantavirus outbreak. Both are asymptomatic and in good health, now quarantined in the Netherlands. The ship, previously anchored in the Canary Islands, carried around 150 individuals during the incident.
Twenty-four Filipino crew members from the MV Hondius will disembark in Spain due to a hantavirus outbreak, followed by a 42-day quarantine in the Netherlands. Four crew members will leave on May 10, while the rest will depart on May 11, ensuring their health and safety before returning home.
Countries are mobilizing to evacuate citizens from the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius, which is anchoring near Tenerife due to a hantavirus outbreak. While three of eight affected individuals have died, the World Health Organization deems the health risk low and urges monitoring for 42 days post-exposure. Evacuations will prioritize safety.
Medics are evacuating two individuals with hantavirus symptoms from a luxury cruise ship off West Africa, where three deaths have been reported. The vessel, anchored with 150 passengers, faces a low public risk according to the World Health Organization. The source of infection remains under investigation, with rodent transmission suspected.
India has successfully repatriated over 2,563 seafarers from the Gulf amid rising tensions linked to the US-Iran situation. Mandeep Singh Randhawa highlighted the government’s commitment to seafarer safety during an inter-ministerial briefing. The Directorate General of Shipping has managed thousands of inquiries, ensuring smooth operations despite regional unrest.
Approximately 370 Indian seafarers are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran. The Indian government has evacuated over 1,754 seafarers, but 16 Indian-flagged vessels remain in high-risk areas. The Indian Embassy in Tehran advises nationals to leave Iran as tensions persist.
Parents of four Indian seafarers stranded on the DIVA near Basra, Iraq, are pleading with the government for urgent repatriation. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has contacted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the need for immediate evacuation due to the vessel’s proximity to active bombardment zones.
The Indian government assured that fuel supplies remain stable amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials confirmed refineries are operating at full capacity, with no shortages in petrol or diesel. Domestic LPG production has surged by 40%, alleviating panic. Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf are reported safe.
On March 8, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard vessel Anagh evacuated nine fishermen off Tamil Nadu after their boat, St Joseph, collided with the Vietnam-flagged MS Solis. Rescued from turbulent waters, the fishermen were taken to Vizhinjam harbour for urgent medical attention, with two suffering serious injuries and two still missing.
Mano Maritime is organizing two special cruise voyages to repatriate Israeli citizens stranded in Cyprus, using the luxury cruise ship Crown Iris. Each round trip will take about 15 hours, with tickets priced between €399 and €650. Enhanced security measures will ensure a safe return amid the ongoing regional tensions.
Zodiac Maritime has launched an emergency response after a fire broke out on its car carrier, Morning Midas, in the Pacific Ocean. All 22 crew members were safely evacuated. The vessel, carrying 3,000 vehicles, encountered smoke on a deck for electric cars, prompting immediate action to control the blaze.
A 32-year-old Indian seafarer was evacuated from a container vessel off Durban due to a serious medical condition. The National Sea Rescue Institute coordinated the rescue, transferring the patient to their craft using a Stokes basket stretcher. He was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition, expected to recover fully.
Germany’s rescue authorities successfully evacuated the crew and controlled a fire on a bunker vessel near Warnemunde. The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service used their vessel, Wilma Sikorski, to rescue the seven crew members. The Annika, a bunker vessel, caught fire in the Bay of Mecklenburg, causing concerns about potential environmental hazards.
A container fire containing highly toxic yellow phosphorus at the Port of Antwerp prompted evacuations and a 12-hour halt in operations. The MPET terminal, DP World facility, and a ship were evacuated, with vessel traffic temporarily halted. Emergency services, along with BASF and port authorities, worked to secure the container. Operations resumed after the container was relocated to a safe area.
