94 passengers leave the MV Hondius at Tenerife

The Pope and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have both congratulated the Canarian people for receiving the cruiser MV Hondius, from which 94 passengers and crew were evacuated at Tenerife yesterday. 

Pope Leo XIV spoke in Spanish during his Sunday address to comment “I’d like to express gratitude for the welcome that characterises the Canarian people for allowing the arrival of the cruiser Hondius”. The pope will visit the Canaries on the 10th and 11th of June.  

Sánchez also praised the “solidarity” of the Canaries in a speech yesterday.

The warm words do not, however, reflect the serious breach that has occurred between the Canarian regional government and the Spanish state. Spanish Health Minister, Monica García, earlier referred to “obstacles” that the operation had overcome, in reference to Canarian President Fernando Clavijo’s demand that the Hondius leave Tenerife by Sunday night.

García revealed that she had told the Canarian executive to “leave us alone and let us get on with the job”, saying that “alarmism is contrary to public health.”