“In Belfast it feels like our response to blocked drains and gullies is haphazard and scattergun”

Belfast City Council is to look at a drainage pilot in the city based on a Dublin model to fight against the increasing threat of flooding.

At the May meeting of the full council at City Hall, the chamber agreed to a Green party proposal, seconded by Sinn Féin, looking at preparation for a pilot in Belfast, focusing on known flood-prone areas. A report will be returned to the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

In March Belfast Council agreed to write to the Minister for Infrastructure at Stormont to seek clarification on winter preparedness in the city, specifically drainage and gully management, in light of the sustained and prolonged rainfall across Northern Ireland. The council also requested urgent clearance of all drains.

READ MORE: New ‘Best Alleyway’ competition open to residents in Belfast

READ MORE: Belfast cafe owners fined for allowing smoking in premises

Last October a number of roads across Belfast were made impassable by flash flooding following heavy rain. Key routes and shopping areas such as Lisburn Road, Boucher Road, Ormeau Road and Botanic Avenue were affected, with traffic coming to a standstill, and residents and businesses suffering for weeks afterwards. Widespread calls were made for the changes to be made to the city’s neglected drainage infrastructure.

The Minister responded, stating DfI had identified a number of problem drainage sites with external contractors, and added the department was working through a programme of remedial works to address the issues raised by the council. DfI said Belfast City Centre gullies would receive additional cleaning as part of the next drainage maintenance programme from April 2026.

At the council meeting this week, the chamber ratified a proposal forwarded by Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth noting the “Smart Gully” monitoring innovation project in Dublin. The chamber agreed that council officers would work with the Department for Infrastructure to “gather learning” from Dublin, with the intention of using the information to scope a pilot in Belfast.

The pilot will focus on known flood-prone areas in Belfast, with a view to “improving drainage response and reducing surface water flooding.” It will also potentially involve a council contract removing weeds in alleyways.

Councillor Smyth said at the meeting on Tuesday: “In Dublin they are using a smart drainage approach which uses low-cost sensors in gullies to monitor water levels in real time in flagged locations that are blocked or close to flooding. The system was developed through a Smart Dublin challenge with Dublin City Council and Enterprise Ireland, and it is designed to respond faster and target maintenance and resources where they are most needed.

“In Belfast it feels like our response to blocked drains and gullies is haphazard and scattergun. It is often either elected reps such as councillors being contacted, or people contacted the flooding hotline. We all know areas that are prone to flooding. I would highlight Rosetta Road and large parts of the Cregagh Estate in my District Electoral Area.”

He said: “How the (Dublin system) works in practice is the sensors send data to a dashboard, so that staff can see which gullies are clear, blocked or at risk. Dublin has deployed bespoke monitors and sensors in targeted areas, and the purpose is to use limited maintenance and resources more effectively while reducing surface water flooding and the disruption that comes with this in communities.

“In Belfast this shouldn’t be seen as a Tech project, it should be seen as a proper tool. A pilot I hope can focus on a small number of known flood hotspots, and DfI and Belfast City Council can agree thresholds for alert and response arrangements, and how that data would fit in with existing drainage maintenance systems.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

‘Enough’, which was founded in response to calls from survivors for more practical support, especially for those who do not feel able to report their assault to the police, held a pop-up event outside the University of Manchester on Tuesday (May 5).

Survivors, alongside members of the university’s men’s and women’s rugby teams, handed out self-testing DNA collection kits to students and offered information about options for those who do not feel able to report rape or sexual assault.

Katie White, co-founder of Enough, said: “Many survivors feel they only have two choices: report to the police or stay silent.

“For those who do not feel able to report, that can mean coping completely alone.

“Our aim is to provide another option.

“The kits allow people to take a step in their own time, while also connecting them with a community that understands what they are going through.”

The event was part of Enough’s UK tour, aimed at giving survivors more options and encouraging open conversations around sexual violence, particularly among young people, who are statistically at higher risk.

The kits are designed to give individuals more control over their next steps when reporting rape to the police.

The Manchester event also allowed students to speak with survivors, learn how the kits work, and find out more about available support.

James Whitlock, chairman of the men’s rugby union team at the University of Manchester for 2026-27, said: “Supporting each other goes way beyond the pitch.

“As one of the biggest male clubs at UoM, it’s vital we use our platform to drive actual change.

“We completely back the ‘enough.’ campaign and their push for radical prevention and getting these kits into students’ hands.”

A student survey conducted by Enough at a previous pop-up showed strong demand for alternative reporting options, with 64 per cent of respondents saying they would report to the organisation.

Of those, 90 per cent said they would later consider reporting to police.

Ms White said: “We want to change the way people think about reporting and prevention.

“This is about making sure no one feels they have to deal with this on their own.”

More information is available at myenough.com.

The Moon in Capricorn, linked to Jupiter and the radiant Sun, encourages you to live life on your own terms. Keep it real today.

Cancer, Leo and Virgo, you may feel implored to think critically and make a change. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s authentic.

Whether you feel like living loud and proud or favour a more private approach today, don’t succumb to external pressure. Be unapologetically yourself.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Thursday May 7, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

The Moon continues in the practical Capricorn, but it could be that you encounter someone who is much more adhered to how things have usually been, just at a time when Mars in Aries, your ruler, is pushing you to lead your life very much on your own terms. And that could create a tension point between what you really want to do and what they expect of you.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

One of the things that the free-spirited Uranus in your sign has encouraged you to do over recent years is to really appreciate what makes you unique. If you find yourself suddenly unsure today of which path to take, it’s important not to overthink it and just trust that what feels right will work out for you. And today, that could relate to a key financial decision.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

You’re going to become more discriminating about who you’re friends with over the next couple of years, Gemini. Indeed, today could illuminate a situation in which you become much more conscious of someone who tends to be controlling, just when you are in the mood to break free of such people. Yet there needn’t be a big scene, just quiet withdrawal.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

You may have been a lot more assertive recently, be it in your worldly dealings and professionally, due to the bold Mars working through a dominant zone. However, even if it is important to be businesslike, being brusque in a personal relationship today may create tension. The big picture here is your desire to get things done, but diplomacy is also key.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

You could find yourself at a little bit of a crossroads. If you really enjoy your current job or life role, the chances are you can complete all your tasks efficiently and in an upbeat manner. But if you are finding things are running on the dull side, and you’re feeling restless, it may be much harder to concentrate, and your mind can wander to other possibilities.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Your ability to scrutinize situations with great astuteness is one of your key gifts. And today, as Saturn, the planet of structure, forges an excellent and constructive angle to Mercury, your ruler, your concentration levels can be really strong. But not only can you decipher what’s important you can also bring a slice of wit to things, too, the perfect mix, Virgo!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

The Moon and Jupiter go face to face today, and it’s one of those oppositions that can have an upside, and you may find yourself being generous to someone within your family, or being encouraged by someone you’re close to, around your hopes. But as much as your worldly prospects are boosted, you’re gently reminded to stay in touch with your personal needs.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

The Moon in a convivial part of your situation is linking well with the Sun in your relationship sector. Therefore, conversations could flow beautifully today – as long as you don’t rush things or try too hard. The reason I say this is that the Moon’s brief square with the pugnacious Mars could make you a little bit impatient to power through all you want to achieve.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Your guide planet Jupiter continues in a very positive location for your long-term finances, shared resources, or entrepreneurial ideas right through to the end of June. But today, its link to the Moon could see you make a spontaneous decision to treat yourself to something really rather nice, and why not? A slice of indulgence, however modest, can lift you.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Your astrological archetype suggests you’re someone who runs on the cautious side, but the Moon in Capricorn today, linked to the bubbly Jupiter and the radiant Sun, gives you a fabulous opportunity to showcase just how charismatic you can be. Interested in someone? This combination can give you more confidence when speaking with them.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

If you find yourself wanting to spin out today, even if it’s just for an hour or so, and just gather your thoughts, then why not? As much as you can be very social and one of the friendliest of people, you do have another part of your nature that appreciates space and time to reflect. This is a passing phase, and soon enough, you’ll feel more outgoing.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

A conversation earlier this week may have shed light on an old issue you’re still digesting. With the North Node in Pisces continuing in your zodiac sign right through to the end of July, trusting your instincts on situations is really very important, but particularly if you’re tuning into your needs and not getting too caught up in others’ expectations of you.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of May here.

Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!

As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Advertisement

MORE: I planned the star signs of my four children and this is the one I’d avoid

MORE: Daily horoscope May 6, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

MORE: Daily horoscope May 5, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

Didi Hamann says Chelsea are ‘crying out’ for some experience and should attempt to sign a departing Liverpool legend on a free transfer.

Chelsea have been in dismal form over the past two months, suffering six successive Premier League defeats and crashing out of the Champions League.

The Blues’ struggles cost Liam Rosenior his job last month, with the ex-Strasbourg boss sacked after just 106 days in charge.

Chelsea’s chaotic transfer strategy has been highlighted as one of the reasons for the club’s poor form, with the board prioritising the signing of young and promising players since their 2022 takeover.

Hamann believes it is time for Chelsea’s owners to bring some much-needed experience to the Stamford Bridge squad and has recommended a shock deal for Andy Robertson.

Scotland international Robertson, 32, is searching for his next club after announcing he would be leaving Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the season.

In his nine-year spell on Merseyside, Robertson has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and three domestic cup competitions, establishing himself as one of Liverpool’s greatest defenders.

‘I think Chelsea need experience,’ Hamann told BetKing. ‘If you’ve got good young players, you need experienced players to bring them on.

‘Sometimes when things go badly, as they have now, the run of form is dreadful, you need experienced players who can calm young players down, where a young player looks up and somebody says to him, “Listen, lad, don’t worry about it, we’ll be fine.”

‘I don’t think they’ve got that. So what you see with them now is that when they go behind, they fall apart. The most blatant example was probably against Brighton [when Chelsea lost 3-0].

‘A player like Andy Robertson, they should take him in a heartbeat. I think he’s exactly the type of player Chelsea needs or is crying out for.

‘With one or two more experienced players, they’ve got to give themselves a chance. I don’t think the way the team is put together, they give themselves a chance.

‘Andy Robertson, I’d take him at Chelsea in a heartbeat if he was interested.’

Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat at home to relegation-battlers Nottingham Forest on Monday left the Blues just ninth in the Premier League, closer to the drop zone than third-placed Manchester United.

The west Londoners, currently led by interim boss Calum McFarlane, conclude their Premier League campaign against Liverpool, Tottenham and Sunderland.

Chelsea do have a chance to salvage some positivity from this season, however, ahead of a FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 16.

McFarlane’s side beat Leeds United in the semi-final, while Man City booked their place in the final with a comeback win over Southampton.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Jamie Carragher names the player who saved Arsenal’s season after reaching Champions League final

MORE: Emmanuel Adebayor says Arsenal star lacks ‘technical ability’ and makes title prediction

MORE: Chelsea face transfer problem after offering ‘dream come true’ to £43m star

Not content with a secret shop in London, Nintendo has unveiled the much rumoured new Star Fox game in a Direct they didn’t advertise until a few minutes beforehand.

Acting strangely is, and always has been, completely normal for Nintendo but they really have been on something this year. We’re into May now and they still haven’t had a first party Nintendo Direct, so we know almost nothing about what games they have planned for the rest of the year.

Unusually there have been believable rumours, including a Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake and at least one new Star Fox game. There’s been some disagreement, amongst insiders, as to whether there’s one or two new games, but most agreed that an old school entry in the series would be released in the first half of this year.

It’s now been revealed that the game in question is a remake of Star Fox 64 (aka Lylat Wars) and not an entirely new game. That’s mildly surprising, but what’s even more curious is that Nintendo decided to announce it at 11pm BST on Wednesday night, with only 10 minutes warning.

It’s pointless asking why they did it that way, as they clearly don’t care about when and how Europe find out the new game (11pm is midnight on the Continent). But if nothing else it proves that not even Nintendo is immune to leaks and there is now absolutely no way of guessing when or how they might announce other new games.

Even ignoring all that, it is a bit odd that it’s Star Fox 64 which is being remade and not the original game, but then Star Fox 64 has already been remade once before, for the 3DS, so it was probably a bit easier to do that, compared to the massive upgrade the original SNES game (known as Starwing in Europe) would’ve required.

Star Fox 64 is also arguably the best game in the series, with both linear and all-range levels, where you have full freedom of movement. It also had a four-player competitive mode which, unusually for modern remakes, will be included in, and slightly expanded by, the new version.

According to Nintendo, the level design is the same as the N64 version but, as you can see, the graphics have seen a major upgrade. The characters have been redesigned too, but in a slightly disarming pseudo-realistic style that doesn’t look like either Fox McCloud’s appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie or the cuddly models from the box art of the original SNES game.

The graphics are really good, but Fox has such a wide mouth he looks like he’s just swallowed a plate. Although the new feature that replaces your face with one of the characters when using GameChat is very impressive, as the camera maps your facial movements onto the CGI avatar.

Other new features include optional mouse controls for the fist person view, although you can also use the wireless N64 controller if you’d rather keep things old school. There’s also a co-op mode where one person can be the pilot and one the gunner, along with three separate difficulty modes, to ensure everyone can play to some degree.

There’ll also be a new Challenge mode with Achievement-like goals and a number of new cut scenes and lore details, with Nintendo showing off a new prologue featuring Fox’s dad.

Confusingly, the remake is called simply Star Fox, which seems to rule out them ever giving the original game the same treatment, and it’ll be released for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25.

That’s around the same time that Nintendo usually put on a not-E3 style Direct, but given everything else that’s happened (or rather not happened) this year it’s impossible to know if they’ll still stick with that tradition.

Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

MORE: Majority of gamers don’t buy full price video games anymore reveals survey

MORE: New Mortal Kombat game confirmed by NetherRealm as boss hints at Injustice 3

MORE: Xbox abandons AI Copilot and then hires a bunch of CoreAI staff

“People in London are really struggling and they need to know that they have councillors who are out there batting for them every single day, protecting local services, making sure we’re investing in the community, that we have council homes, homes that people can actually afford to live in in London.”

Ukraine accused Russia of violating a ceasefire initiated by Kyiv overnight, with officials reporting one person killed and three wounded in regions in the north and east of the country.

“Russia violated the ceasefire initiated by Ukraine at midnight between May 5th and 6th,” Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on X, reporting that Russian attacks continued through the night, including morning strikes on the cities of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.

“This shows that Russia rejects peace and its fake calls for a ceasefire on May 9th have nothing to do with diplomacy,” he wrote.

Ukraine’s air force said this morning’s attack involved at least 89 Russian drones as well as ballistic missiles, with hits confirmed in eight different locations. It warned that the attack continues as there are “several enemy UAVs in the airspace”.

The unilateral ceasefire proposed by Volodymyr Zelensky took effect at midnight. At least 27 people were killed in Russian strikes throughout eastern Ukraine in the hours leading up to the start of the ceasefire at midnight (Tuesday 10pm BST).

Putin has not committed to observing the ceasefire, but has proposed his own truce to cover 8 and 9 May, when Russia will commemorate the end of the Second World War with a military parade in Red Square.

During the 2022 local election in Southwark, 52 Labour councillors were elected, while the Lib Dems won 11 seats – making them the largest and only elected opposition group on the council. Since the last local election in 2022, four councillors have defected to the Greens and three former Labour councillors now sit as independents.

Two people who returned to the UK from the cruise ship that was hit by a hantavirus outbreak have been told to self-isolate, the UK Health Security Agency said.

The organisation added that “the risk to general public remains very low” after they returned from the MV Hondius.

It is now believed that a Dutch couple who visited a landfill during a bird-watching tour in Argentina may be the source of the outbreak.

Two Argentine officials said the government’s leading hypothesis was that the couple could have been exposed to rodents on the trip in Ushuaia.

Eight suspected cases of hantavirus have now been linked to the boat, the World Health Organisation said, with five of the cases confirmed.

On Wednesday, three patients were medically evacuated from the boat to receive treatment in the Netherlands.

Spain’s health minister said that a British doctor who was evacuated from the boat is no longer in a critical condition.

Oceanwide, the cruise ship operator, said the planned destination for the ship was still the Canary Islands, despite its leader, Fernando Clavijo, blocking the vessel from docking in Tenerife.

MV Hondius heading to Canary Islands after three people suspected of hantavirus infections evacuated

The cruise ship MV Hondius is now heading to the Canary Islands from Cape Verde after three people suspected of having hantavirus infections were evacuated from the ship on Wednesday.

The three passengers are from Britain, the Netherlands and Germany. Earlier reports said the British person was a doctor, but that now appears to be incorrect.

Two other British passengers had already left the ship earlier and are currently self-isolating at home after possible exposure.

Advertisement

The ship is still heading to the Canary Islands with 145 people on board, all reportedly symptom-free according to the operator, Oceanwide Expeditions.

Spanish authorities say there is “no risk” to local residents, but the Canary Islands’ president says he is concerned and was not properly consulted.

Maroosha Muzaffar7 May 2026 04:25

Advertisement

Passenger stuck on ship at centre of hantavirus outbreak says atmosphere ‘relatively good’

Harriette Boucher7 May 2026 04:00

What is hantavirus? Symptoms you need to know after deadly cruise ship outbreak

Hantaviruses, which have been present for centuries, have a documented history of outbreaks across Asia and Europe.

In the Eastern Hemisphere, these viruses have been associated with severe conditions such as haemorrhagic fever and kidney failure.

Advertisement

A distinct group of hantaviruses emerged in the early 1990s in the southwestern United States, leading to the acute respiratory disease now known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Hantavirus is mainly spread by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings, particularly when the material is disturbed and becomes airborne, posing a risk of inhalation.

People are typically exposed to hantavirus around their homes, cabins or sheds, especially when cleaning out enclosed spaces with little ventilation or going into areas where there are mouse droppings.

The WHO says that while rare, hantaviruses may spread between people.

Advertisement

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking the virus after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region – the area where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet.

It was a doctor with the Indian Health Service who first noticed a pattern of deaths among young patients, said Michelle Harkins, a pulmonologist with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center who for years has been studying the disease and helping patients.

Most US cases are in Western states. New Mexico and Arizona are hotspots, Dr Harkins said, likely because the odds are greater for mouse-human encounters in rural areas.

Harriette Boucher7 May 2026 03:00

Advertisement

Pictured: The MV Hondius cruise ship, where 150 passengers are isolated in their cabins

Harriette Boucher7 May 2026 02:00

Airline says Dutch national who died from hantavirus was briefly on board aircraft

Dutch airline KLM has confirmed that a Dutch passenger who died from hantavirus was briefly on board one of its aircraft in Johannesburg.

The airline’s crew decided to not allow the passenger to travel on the flight due to their medical condition.

Advertisement

The flight concerned was KL592, which departed Johannesburg for Amsterdam on 25 April.

In a statement, the airline said: “Yesterday evening, the Dutch public health authority RIVM informed KLM that one of the Dutch nationals who died from hantavirus had briefly been on board a KLM aircraft in Johannesburg on April 25, 2026.

“Due to the passenger’s medical condition at the time, the crew decided not to allow the passenger to travel on the flight. The passenger sadly later passed away in Johannesburg. KLM extends its condolences to the next of kin and wishes them much strength during this difficult time.”

Harriette Bouche7 May 2026 01:00

Advertisement

US travel blogger comes to defence of hantavirus-struck cruise ship and says vessel is clean with strong biosecurity

Travel blogger Jake Rosmarin has been documenting his time aboard the illness-stricken ship, telling The Independent in a statement that aside from the two confirmed cases, the other passengers on board are “doing well” and remain “in good spirits”.

Mr Rosmarin noted that the MV Hondius is an expedition vessel, not an average cruise ship, and is held to a higher standard of cleanliness due to the types of trips it takes

“These ships operate with strict protocols and a strong emphasis on cleanliness, especially given the remote and environmentally sensitive regions they visit, which require high levels of biosecurity,” he said.

Advertisement

“The vessel is maintained to a very high standard, and suggestions that it is unclear are not accurate,” he added.

Harriette Boucher7 May 2026 00:00

Why the Andes virus is a concerning member of the hantavirus family

The word hantavirus refers to a broad family of viruses, with different versions in different countries.

Advertisement

Almost none of them have been found to spread from person to person — with the possible exception of the Andes virus, which has been confirmed in the current outbreak.

Still, transmission between people does not happen easily, and would require “close and prolonged” contact, according to the World Health Organisation.

“We haven’t had huge person-to-person spreads of hantavirus infection ever before, and there’s no reason to suspect a huge outbreak from this case at this point,” said Steven Bradfute, an associate professor and associate director of the Center for Global Health at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which specialises in hantavirus research.

South African tests first confirmed the Andes virus when health authorities said they identified the strain of hantavirus in two passengers who were on the ship.

Advertisement

WHO said the Andes virus is found in South America, primarily in Argentina and Chile.

Harriette Boucher6 May 2026 23:40

Up to eight weeks of isolation needed for hantavirus exposure

The UKHSA has said up to eight weeks of isolation could be needed after exposure to the hantavirus.

Advertisement

A spokesperson said this was the “most cautious scenario” and the public health body would be monitoring exposed passengers “very closely” over the coming days and weeks.

“Most cases of hantavirus, we think, are transmitted within the first few weeks, but up to eight is the figure we are working with,” the spokesperson said in a video shared by Sky News.

“We are working on the most cautious scenario, which is the potential eight week isolation. Over the coming days and weeks, we will be monitoring these people very closely and we may be able to adjust that as time goes on.

“We are going to see how the data derives in the coming days. As you would expect, we are going to treat everything with the utmost caution.”

Advertisement

Harriette Boucher6 May 2026 23:30

Passenger who was on MV Hondius was ‘shocked’ to hear of virus outbreak

A passenger on board the MV Hondius has said it was “shocking” to learn of the outbreak on the vessel.

Ruhi Cenet was on the ship for 24 of the 36 days of the cruise and left after the first person had died.

Advertisement

He told Sky News: “We were on board with these people for 24 days straight. We had relationships.

“I knew these people, I’m very sad that they’re going through this human crisis, I just wish them to get well.”

He said they were told on 12 April that a passenger had passed away due to “natural causes”, which he said was a “relaxing explanation”, but turned out to not be true.

With the World Health Organisation’s involvement, he said he was noe “hopeful” for the passengers on board.

Advertisement

Harriette Boucher6 May 2026 23:10

Two of three evacuated patients in hospital, while third experiencing delays

Two medicalised aircraft, carrying two of the three individuals transferred from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship earlier today has landed in the Netherlands and the passengers have been taken to the hospital.

Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise ship operator, said a second aircraft carrying the third individual was experiencing a delay, but the individual on board remained in a stable condition.

Advertisement

The company confirmed that the vessel had departed Cape Verde and is headed for the Canary Islands.

“This is expected to take 3-4 days,” a statement said.

“Three additional medical professionals have embarked m/v Hondius to provide optimal medical care during the crossing.”

Harriette Boucher6 May 2026 23:03

Advertisement