Marlaska, García, Torres and the WHO Director-General in Tenerife

The Ministers of Health, Mónica García, and the Interior, Fernando Grande‑Marlaska, together with the Director‑General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, landed at Tenerife South Airport shortly before 20:30 local time. They will proceed to the command post set up at the Port of Granadilla de Abona ahead of the early‑morning arrival of the cruise ship MV Hondius on Sunday.

Joining them to coordinate the operation will be the Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, and the President of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo.

The central government has stated that the goal is to ensure coordination among administrations, health control, and the implementation of the surveillance and response protocols that have been established.

• The affected cruise is scheduled to reach the Tenerife port between 04:00 and 06:00 a.m. (local time).
• Disembarkation and the transfer of passengers and part of the crew will begin at dawn.
• 30 crew members will remain on board to sail the vessel back to its home port in the Netherlands.
• Spanish nationals will be the first to disembark; other passengers will be repatriated as soon as the aircraft designated for their return is ready for take‑off.

The journey from the Port of Granadilla de Abona to Tenerife South Airport takes less than 15 minutes by car, allowing the operation to be carried out swiftly.