WASHINGTON: The US said Friday it was organising an evacuation flight for Americans on a hantavirus-struck cruise ship that has sailed to the Canary Islands.
“The Department of State is arranging a repatriation flight to support the safe return of American passengers on this ship,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The State Department said it was coordinating with the Spanish government as well as other US federal agencies.
“We are in direct communication with Americans on board and are prepared to provide consular assistance as soon as the ship arrives in Tenerife, Spain,” the spokesperson said on customary condition of anonymity.
The ship operator earlier said that 17 Americans were onboard. The State Department did not immediately give a number of US passengers.
WHO said earlier that the US was among 12 countries which had nationals who disembarked the ship at Saint Helena.