Amid the hantavirus outbreak, which has killed three people so far, sparking fears from an island leader as MV Hondius is approaching for docking.

The president of the Canary Islands is outraged over Spain’s decision to allow the vessel MV Hondius to dock in the archipelago.

The hantavirus outbreak was first reported on the Dutch-based polar cruise ship MV Hondius, which was sailing between Argentina and Cape Verde on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo appeared on radio COPE on May 6, 2026.

The president revealed that he had requested an urgent meeting with Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez, to discuss allowing the cruise ship to dock at the islands.

“This decision is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the public or guarantee their safety,” said the president of the Canary Islands.

The cruise ship with 150 passengers on board that set off from Argentine coast about three weeks ago is set to dock on the island of Tenerife.

MV Hondius is sailing in Cape Verde, where authorities have not issued docking orders amid fears of a virus outbreak in the local population.

As per the latest update by the WHO, seven cases of hantavirus have been confirmed among 221 passengers onboard the cruise with two people infected and five more under screening.

KARACHI: Motorbikes, buses and rickshaws will be required to use separate designated lanes on Sharea Faisal, with violators set to face fines under a new traffic management plan announced by the Karachi Traffic Police.

The initiative, unveiled by DIG Traffic Peer Muhammad Shah, aims to introduce structured lane discipline on one of the city’s busiest arteries using an existing network of surveillance cameras.

Shah told Geo News that the system will initially be implemented on Sharea Faisal, where enforcement infrastructure is already in place.

A one-month awareness campaign will be carried out before formal enforcement begins on June 1, he said, explaining that it would allow commuters to familiarise themselves with the new lane rules.

Under the plan, motorbikes, buses, rickshaws and other light transport vehicles, including Mazdas, will be required to use the two leftmost lanes.

The remaining lanes — varying between two and three depending on the stretch — will be reserved for faster-moving traffic, including cars and double-cabin vehicles.

The top traffic cop said the enforcement will be backed by the existing camera system, which will issue e-tickets directly to violators.

He added that fines have been fixed according to vehicle category, with motorbikes and rickshaws fined Rs2,500 and buses Rs7,500 for violations.

Shah said the initiative is designed to improve traffic flow and introduce lane discipline in Karachi for the first time in a structured manner.