Spanish government in Podcasts

Rarely has the arrival of passengers from a cruise ship been so closely monitored. But on Sunday, the evacuation of more than 90 people from the MV Hondias was carefully overseen by officials from the Spanish government and the World Health Organization. The vessel, which had been hit by an outbreak of hantavirus, is currently anchored off the coast of Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands. Passengers were taken off in small boats to a sealed-off area of a local airport, with teams wearing protective bio-suits.

The complex operation involving the Spanish army and two national ministries has caused a political firestorm in Spain, with the central government taking measures to overrule the opposition of local authorities.

But late last night, the Spanish government agreed to the World Health Organization's request, said it had a legal and moral obligation to allow the ship stuck in the Canary Islands because it is the first available port