17 Filipino evacuees from MV Hondius arrive in the Netherlands, Ph embassy receive crew members

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Filipino crew from the cruise ship Hondius, where the hantavirus outbreak began, landed at Eindhoven airport on early dawn Tuesday, May 12, 2026, according to the Philippine Embassy in the Hague.

The 17 Filipino crew members, including six Filipinas, were in the second batch of the evacuation flights arranged by the Netherlands from Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.

Last Sunday, May 10, evening, the first batch of passengers composed of eight Dutch passengers, along with 18 people of other nationalities, arrived, according to broadcaster NOS.

Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya joined Dutch health and foreign ministry officials in receiving the passengers and crew members of MV Hondius. With Ambassador Malaya in receiving the Filipinos were Consul Kay Kalaw-Ado, Attache Kieren Roevi Batiles and staff member Joel Aballe.

Also at the airport were Australian and New Zealand diplomats whose nationals also arrived early Tuesday morning.

In a release from the embassy, it said that “the newly arrived crew members underwent medical tests upon arrival before proceeding to designated local facilities for their quarantine while awaiting repatriation to the Philippines. Four Filipino crew members arrived previously Sunday evening. The remaining 17 crew members, who were expected to arrive in Rotterdam on Sunday evening, 18 May, onboard the MV Hondius, will likewise undergo quarantine.”

The Netherlands Government has arranged facilities for the Filipino crew members for the 6-week quarantine, as prescribed by World Health Organization and the public health institute RIVM protocols.

The remaining crew members who are regular deck and engine crew will sail the vessel from Tenerife, Spain to Rotterdam, Netherlands, and will also undergo the 6-week quarantine when they arrive.

The Philippine Embassy in The Hague is in close contact with Dutch authorities and the Migrant Workers Offices in Berlin on arrangements for the eventual repatriation of the altogether 38 Filipino crew members to the Philippines.

“The Embassy has made a request to visit the crew members in quarantine at the soonest time possible, while strictly observing health protocols,” the embassy said.

Repatriation flights

Repatriation flights have now returned more than 100 people from the ship, which docked in Tenerife on Sunday morning carrying 147 passengers and crew, according to Spanish authorities.

Spain, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey, the UK, Ireland and the US all evacuated their nationals on Sunday, Spanish health minister Mónica García said. A final Australian flight, also carrying a New Zealander and one resident of Tenerife, is due to leave on Monday afternoon.

Photo: Courtesy of the Philippine Embassy The Hague