THIS is the shocking moment the captain of the rat virus-ravaged MV Hondius tells passengers that the ship is not infected while announcing the first death.
In the weeks since, a further two people have died, two have confirmed cases of the deadly hantavirus, and a further three are being tested after a medical evacuation to the Netherlands.
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Shocking footage shows the MV Hondius captain tell passengers he believed the first cruise casualty died of ‘natural causes’ Credit: Reuters
Turkish YouTuber Ruhi Çenet, who recorded the announcement, said that passengers were ‘relaxed’ after being told the ship was not infected Credit: Reuters
Foreboding footage captured by a Turkish travel blogger shows the captain say that the outbreak’s patient zero was believed to have died of “natural causes”.
He adds: “Whatever issues he was struggling with, I’m told by the doctor we’re not infectious. So the ship is safe when it comes to that.”
Ruhi Cenet, 35, shared that the group were told the news at a 9am morning meeting.
He said: “We felt that there was something wrong. We normally don’t see the captain.
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Medics escort a patient, second right, evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship Credit: AP
The luxury liner is currently headed for the Canary Islands Credit: AP
“I started filming because the atmosphere was tense.”
Cenet said that once they were told that the ship was not infected, everyday life continued.
He said: “Since we were not told of any contagious disease, everyone was relaxed
But the YouTuber blasted the way it was handled: “They didn’t even consider the possibility of having such a contagious disease. They didn’t take the problem seriously enough.
Around 150 passengers from 23 countries are currently on board the stricken vessel Credit: AFP
He added that elderly passengers continued mingling in the dining room in the days that followed.
“We again kept eating all together… and we didn’t wear any masks.”
After the first death, the Hondius made a beeline for Tristan da Cunha, where it anchored for a day.
Cenet reflected: “It wasn’t just risky for us, it was risky for the people living in this remote place, because they don’t have the best medical centres, they don’t have enough doctors.”
After dozens of passengers disembarked at St. Helena, the Hondius continued on to Cape Verde.
On May 2, a stricken 69-year-old Brit tested positive for hantavirus after being evacuated to South Africa, stranded the remaining passengers as a quarantine was enforced.
Three more suspected patients have since been evacuated to Amsterdam by medics in hazmat suits.
They include 56-year-old Brit expedition guide Martin Anstee, a 65-year-old German woman and the ship’s 41-year-old Dutch doctor.
Two more Brits who sailed on the ship before the outbreak was discovered have also been self-isolating after returning to the UK.
The UKHSA said in a statement: “UKHSA is aware of two people who have returned to the UK independently having been on board the MV Hondius.
“Neither of these individuals is currently reporting symptoms. They are receiving advice and support from UKHSA and have been advised to self-isolate.”
The Hondius has now left Cape Verde’s shores bound for Tenerife – with more than 20 Brits set to be repatriated when it arrives in around three days.
Around 150 passengers from 23 countries are currently on board the stricken vessel
Spain has said that passenger evacuations from the Canary Islands will begin from May 11.
Health Minister Monica Garcia said that “a joint system for health assessment and evacuation will be put in place to repatriate all passengers, unless their medical condition prevents it”.
The European Commission said: “All the passengers will remain on the cruise ship until the arrival of their planes.”
EU nations will be responsible for repatriating their own citizens, while the evacuation of non-EU citizens is still being planned.
The UKHSA said: “None of the British citizens on board are currently reporting symptoms but they are being closely monitored.
“The FCDO [Foreign Office] is making arrangements for these individuals to return to the UK where UKHSA is working with government to support them to isolate with regular testing and contact with healthcare professionals.”
Cenet has meanwhile said that these trips should enforce better security standards in future
“I think all of the cruise ships who are welcoming over a hundred passengers should have a lab to detect a virus or any potential threats,” he said.
“It was not a cheap experience because all of the passengers have paid around $10,000 dollars, they deserve better medical support from the ship in the first place.”
