A medical evacuation aircraft transporting two suspected hantavirus patients to the Netherlands was forced to halt its journey after developing a technical fault, prompting arrangements for a replacement air ambulance, Spanish officials said.
Sources cited by AFP said the aircraft’s onboard doctor reported a malfunction in the electrical support system used to sustain one of the patients.
As a result, the patient remained on board the plane, relying on the airport’s external power supply while awaiting the arrival of a replacement aircraft to continue the transfer to Amsterdam, dw.com reports.
Officials from the Canary Islands government, quoted by Spanish news agency EFE, confirmed that the issue also affected the patient’s isolation bubble, critical for containing infectious diseases, raising additional safety concerns during transit.
The aircraft had originally planned to refuel in Marrakesh, but Moroccan authorities reportedly denied it access, prompting a diversion to Gran Canaria for a technical stop.
Airport authorities allowed refueling under strict conditions, ensuring no passengers or crew disembarked while ground teams serviced the plane externally.
Separately, another air ambulance carrying at least one patient from the outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius landed at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol after departing from Cape Verde.
The Leiden University Medical Center confirmed it is prepared to receive the patient under strict isolation protocols, with specialized facilities and trained staff in place to handle severe infectious diseases.
Authorities across Europe remain on alert following the outbreak linked to the cruise ship, which has already resulted in multiple fatalities and infections, prompting heightened precautionary measures and coordinated international medical responses.
