Regional Leader of Spain’s Canary Islands Rejects Hantavirus-Hit Cruise Docking There

MADRID, May 6 (Reuters) – ⁠The ⁠regional government of ⁠Spain’s Canary Islands is opposed ​to allowing a luxury cruise ship ‌that has been ‌hit by an outbreak ⁠of ⁠the deadly hantavirus to dock on the archipelago, ​its leader, Fernando Clavijo, said on Wednesday.

“This decision is not based ​on any technical criteria, nor is ⁠there sufficient ⁠information to ⁠reassure the ​public or guarantee their safety,” Clavijo ​told radio ⁠station COPE.

He added that he had requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ⁠to discuss the issue. Clavijo belongs to the ⁠conservative People’s Party – the main opposition to Sanchez’s Socialists.

Earlier on Wednesday, Spanish state broadcaster TVE reported the cruise ship was set to dock at the Canary island of Tenerife, citing ⁠sources from the country’s health ministry. The ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for ​comment.

(Reporting by David Latona; Editing ​by Charlie Devereux)

Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

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