Tag Archives: Dead

Hantavirus-Hit Hondius Passengers Repatriated to Home Countries

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Hantavirus-Hit Hondius Passengers Repatriated to Home Countries

Twenty British nationals evacuated from the Hondius are beginning 45 days of self-isolation in the UK after their chartered flight from Tenerife landed at Manchester Airport on May 10, according to the BBC.

The evacuees are isolating at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside for 72 hours before being asked to self-isolate for a further 42 days at home.

Seventeen American passengers from the vessel returned to the United States on May 11, landing in Nebraska, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

One American passenger tested mildly PCR positive for the virus, the department said, according to the New York Times.

The American passengers were transported to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, the country’s only federally funded quarantine center.

Two of the American passengers traveled in specialized biocontainment units out of an abundance of caution.

One passenger had mild symptoms and the other was the passenger who had tested mildly positive for the Andes virus, the department said.

International passengers from 23 nationalities were repatriated to their home countries following the vessel’s arrival at Granadilla port in Tenerife on May 10 at 06:24 local time, according to Oceanwide Expeditions.

Spanish nationals were given priority during the evacuation process, the Spanish health ministry said.

Passengers were ferried to shore in small launch boats and underwent medical screening before boarding evacuation flights arranged by their respective countries. Luggage stayed on the ship and will be dealt with separately.

The disembarkation was coordinated by local authorities, the WHO and international governments, with the sequence timed to the arrival of repatriation flights.

No quarantine of non-Spanish nationals took place in Spain, Oceanwide Expeditions said.

The Hondius docked in the Canary Islands on May 10 after Spain granted permission for the vessel to sail from Cape Verde.

Three Guests Dead as Oceanwide Battles Suspected Virus Outbreak

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Three Guests Dead as Oceanwide Battles Suspected Virus Outbreak

Oceanwide Expeditions has confirmed three guests have passed away onboard the Hondius which is currently located off the coast of Cape Verde.

Media reports said the 174-guest ship is battling a hantavirus outbreak. Information regarding the number of guests and crew aboard was not immediately available.

In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two crew members onboard require urgent medical care.

The company said that as of May 3, no authorization from Cape Verdean authorities has been given to disembark guests requiring medical care or to support with medical screening.

“Local health authorities have visited the vessel to assess the condition of the two symptomatic individuals. They are yet to make a decision regarding the transfer of these individuals into medical care in Cape Verde,” the company said.

The company said in a statement that its priority is to ensure that the two symptomatic individuals onboard receive adequate and expedited medical care.

“Dutch authorities have agreed to lead a joint effort in organizing the repatriation of the two symptomatic individuals onboard the Hondius from Cape Verde to the Netherlands.”

The body of the deceased individual is also planned to be included in this repatriation, along with a guest closely associated with the deceased, who is not symptomatic, the company said.

“This repatriation depends on many factors, including the authorization and support of local Cape Verdean health authorities for the transfer of individuals requiring medical attention from Hondius,” the company stated.

Oceanwide stressed it is working closely with local and international authorities, including WHO, RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

British tourists ‘among dead’ in Egypt balloon accident

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British tourists ‘among dead’ in Egypt balloon accident

By Phil Davies

British tourists 'among dead' in Egypt balloon accidentBritish nationals are reported to be among the 18 foreign tourists killed in a hot air balloon crash in Egypt this morning.

Egyptian police said the victims include nine from Hong Kong, four from Japan, two from the United Kingdom, two from France and two from Egypt, according to the BBC.

A total of 21 tourists and a pilot were onboard the hot air balloon during a sunrise flight when it caught fire and exploded, plunging into fields west of the ancient Egyptian city of Luxor today, state-run Nile TV reported.

At least two people, including the balloon’s pilot, reportedly survived, apparently by jumping out of the balloon before it crashed, after it caught fire when it was at 1,000 ft (300m).

Sky News reported that two Britons onboard have been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Dr Hany Sabry, from Luxor International Hospital, told Sky News that one of the injured passengers suffered multiple fractures and internal bleeding, while the second injured passenger remains under observation in the intensive care unit.

An employee at the company operating the balloon, Sky Cruise, said two people in the balloon survived by jumping from the basket before it hit the ground. The balloon’s pilot is also believed to have survived the crash.

Luxor is one of the most popular destinations for travellers to Egypt and a starting point for many Nile cruises.

Ahmed Aboud, a spokesman for companies that operate balloon flights in the area, told Reuters that one tourist and the balloon pilot had survived the accident, which happened after a gas explosion at 1,000 feet.

“There were 20 passengers aboard,” said Aboud. “An explosion happened and 19 passengers died. One tourist and the pilot survived.”

Aboud is the representative of eight companies that operate balloons in Luxor.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are aware of reports of a balloon crash in Luxor and are making urgent enquiries.”

DoSomethingDifferent.com confirmed it had taken Luxor balloon flights off-sale and was refunding all customers with future bookings. The tickets specialist said it did not believe any of its customers were involved in the accident.