The first passenger plane evacuating from the ship affected by hantavirus has departed from Tenerife.

The first plane transporting evacuated passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by an outbreak of hantavirus, took off from Tenerife as part of an international operation coordinated by Spanish authorities and the World Health Organization. The evacuation comes after three people died and several others fell ill during the cruise.

Passengers are being transported in small groups and repatriated to their home countries, where they will enter preventive quarantine for 42 days. Health authorities have stated that none of the evacuees are showing symptoms at this time, but strict measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus.

The MV Hondius arrived in Tenerife after several days spent off the coast of Africa, and the operation is considered unprecedented.