Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has scheduled a meeting on May 11, 2026 with a delegation of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with regards to latter’s allegation regarding “illegal” issuance of second ballot to two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs during Rajya Sabha election
Prabhas-starrer Fauzi shoot halted after fatal accident kills crew member, 5 injuredThe big-budget film faces indefinite production suspension after a tragic accident resulted in one death and multiple injuries near Hyderabad. May 6, 2026, 16:21:20 IST Written by Monica Yadav Share via Copy link
Himanta to return? Who will be Assam's new chief minister after BJP's poll win?BJP secured a majority in the state, winning 82 of the total 126 seats in the Assam Assembly. Published on: May 06, 2026 4:52 PM IST By Arya Mishra Share via Copy link The Bharatiya Janata Party has managed to retain
‘BJP won’t let funds reach us’: Akhilesh Yadav on why Samajwadi Party cut ties with I-PACFounded by political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor, I-PAC is known for managing high-profile election campaigns across the country. Updated on: May 06
Land dispute pits BJP MLAs against each other in UP's UnnaoLand dispute pits BJP MLAs against each other in UP's Unnao Published on: May 06, 2026 4:24 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Unnao , A land dispute in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district has pitted two Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs against each
Cruise passengers tell of life on board stranded ship after hantavirus outbreak
"We're not just a story. We're not just headlines, we're people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home," said a tearful Jake Rosmarin.
For the American travel vlogger on board the luxury cruise liner MV Hondius in the Atlantic ocean, a dream voyage has taken a deadly turn.
He is among around 150 people from 23 countries on the vessel stranded near Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa.
Two confirmed and five suspected cases of hantavirus - a rare but severe disease usually spread by rodents - have since been identified.
Three passengers on the ship have died and several more are either ill or displaying symptoms after the MV Hondius set sail from Argentina around a month ago.
Health authorities are now racing to test samples from passengers and the World Health Organization (WHO) said it has possibly spread among those on board.
The Spanish government has now said the ship can sail to the Canary Islands where those on board will be treated and repatriated after Cape Verdean officials declined to grant clearance earlier this week, leaving the vessel anchored nearby.
"There's a lot of uncertainty and that is the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home," Rosmarin told his followers on TikTok on Monday.
Unlike Rosmarin's emotional recount, another passenger on the ship, Kasem Hato, said "the whole situation has been blown out of proportion".
He said this was "partly because of one person panicking on the ship whose video has been circulating [in] the media," an apparent reference to Rosmarin's video.
"While his reaction is valid, it doesn't represent the situation on board, everyone else (148 out of 149) has been calm, the situation is under control and we just wish those who are sick a speedy recovery", Hato, also a travel influencer, posted on social media.
He told the BBC passengers were keeping themselves busy by reading, watching movies and having hot drinks.
In a series of follow-up posts, Rosmarin said it had taken "some time to settle my emotions" and "everyone on board is doing okay".
He added: "I'm feeling well, getting some fresh air and continue to be well fed and taken care of by the crew... just trying to focus on the positive".
The operator of the cruise, Oceanwide Expeditions, said the atmosphere "remains calm, with passengers generally composed".
"Oceanwide Expeditions is working to provide clarity and reassurance to guests and expedite their disembarkation and medical screening," the company said in a statement.
A passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC they were preparing for at least another three to four days at sea.
"At this point we don't know when we will leave," they said.
Almost one month since the first death, footage taken on board offers a glimpse into daily life.
Health officials covered in protective gear are seen disembarking the ship and plush lounges, usually a place for relaxation or late-night revelry, sit deserted.
Another passenger said the cruise staff had asked those on board to maintain social distancing, wear masks inside and sanitise hands frequently.
It was a voyage that promised passengers the trip of a lifetime traversing some of the Atlantic's most rugged and untouched landscapes.
The MV Hondius set off from Ushuaia in Argentina, the most southern city in the world, on 1 April.
"Fresh snow on the mountains, autumn colours along the shoreline and even some amazing wildlife," Rosmarin, his voice brimming with excitement, told followers in a video posted several weeks ago.
From Argentina it was onto the British territory of South Georgia, a world-renowned wildlife destination famous for its penguin colonies, and then Tristan da Cunha, the remotest inhabited island in the world.
Rosmarin's social media videos offer a highlights reel of his month at sea - from birdwatching and penguin spotting to sipping iced lattes on board.
"Moments like this are hard to explain, but they're the ones that stay with you the most," he said of Tristan da Cunha.
As the Hondius headed for the remote island of St Helena, the cruise operator was alerted to a worrying development.
On 11 April, a Dutch man died on board, his cause of death unknown. Almost two weeks later his body was taken off the boat in St Helena accompanied by his wife.
She was evacuated to South Africa, where authorities said she died in a Johannesburg hospital. The WHO has since confirmed the woman, aged 69, had hantavirus.
On 27 April a British passenger became unwell and was evacuated to South Africa where they are in a critical but stable condition with hantavirus.
Then on 2 May, a German national also died, bringing the total number of fatalities to three. It remains unclear if they were infected.
Oceanwide Expeditions said two crew members currently have "acute respiratory symptoms, one mild and one severe", needing urgent medical care.
While the ship was anchored off Cape Verde, it was unclear where passengers would be able to disembark.
The WHO later said Spain had granted permission for it to dock in the Canary Islands, where a risk assessment and further medical monitoring could take place.
It will take three or four days for the ship to arrive at the Canary Islands, Spain's health ministry said in a statement.
The exact port of arrival had not yet been decided, with cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions saying its plan was to sail to "Gran Canaria or Tenerife".
Additional reporting by Ed Habershon
Are you on the ship or do you know someone who is? If you feel able to do so, please get in touch by using this link or the form below.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: What is human hantavirus that has led to havoc on cruise ship off Africa coast Hantavirus outbreak Elderly woman left behind by cruise ship on Great Barrier Reef island found dead Inside Disney Cruise Line’s largest ship on its Asia debut Investigation after woman left behind by cruise ship dies on island Carnival Cruise bans several passengers after onboard brawl Stranded Indian Passengers In Sri Lanka Evacuated Indian embassy shares update on Air France passengers stranded in Turkmenistan Passengers stranded in Italy as Air India's Milan-Delhi flight gets cancelled IndiGo To Compensate Stranded Passengers With Rs 10
‘Nobody wanted to talk to me’: Harvard-educated VC on failure and feeling like an outsiderAmy Wu Martin, a Harvard-educated venture capitalist, has opened up about her childhood as an immigrant in the United States. Updated on: May 06, 2026 4:02 PM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link A
1 minutes ago
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that roughly every sixth MP of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha had won elections through “vote theft” and claimed the party would not secure even 140 seats if elections were conducted fairly
1 minutes ago
Bryson DeChambeau says he will focus on growing his YouTube channel and only "play tournaments that want me" if LIV Golf does not survive. The future of the breakaway series was plunged into doubt when Saudi Arabia announced it will withdraw its multibillion dollar backing at the end of the year
1 minutes ago
Washington is reportedly nearing a breakthrough with Tehran on a preliminary deal to de-escalate tensions and pave the way for nuclear talks. The proposed one-page memorandum of understanding includes Iran halting nuclear enrichment, the US lifting sanctions and releasing frozen funds
1 minutes ago
The U.S. Military launched another strike on Tuesday (May 6, 2026) on a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three men. The attack came a day after U.S. forces struck an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing two people.The U.S
1 minutes ago
"We're not just a story. We're not just headlines, we're people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home," said a tearful Jake Rosmarin. For the American travel vlogger on board the luxury cruise liner MV Hondius in the Atlantic ocean, a dream voyage has taken a deadly turn
1 minutes ago
Pakistani sportspersons will be able to participate in multilateral events in India, but will not be allowed to take part in bilateral tournaments held in the country, stated the Union government on Tuesday. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in an office memorandum: “In so far as
1 minutes ago
Sanjay Raut and NCP (SP) back Mamata Banerjee's decision not to resign as West Bengal Chief Minister. They allege democratic processes were subverted and central agencies misused to influence the assembly poll outcome. Raut calls for unity against the Centre's dictatorship and the Election
1 minutes ago
Delhi’s notoriously toxic air may appear to be cleaner these days, but it could be hiding a bigger, quieter problem. According to a report in The Indian Express, while the national capital’s nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide levels have gradually declined over the years
1 minutes ago
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened "as soon as possible" in talks with his Iranian counterpart. The pair met in Beijing on Wednesday on what is Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi's first trip to China since the Iran war began
1 minutes ago
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on Thursday (April 30, 2026) announced the results of the ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) main examinations for 2026 with girls outperforming boys in both classes. Over 3.6 lakh students across India and abroad sat for the
1 minutes ago
Spirit release date postponed? Makers clarify on Sandeep Reddy Vanga film with Prabhas and Triptii DimriAmid ongoing speculations that the release date of Spirit has been postponed, the makers have issued a statement. The film stars Prabhas in the lead. May 6, 2026
1 minutes ago
Vivek Ramaswamy will run for the position of Ohio governor in November, after the staunch ally of US President Donald Trump emerged victorious in one of a series of primary contests held in the US Midwest. Projected results on Tuesday night showed the health-tech entrepreneur had defeated Casey
1 minutes ago
Two sides, both jolted out of rhythm just when they seemed unstoppable, now collide in a high-stakes showdown as Sunrisers Hyderabad locks horns with Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The hosts were riding a wave of confidence
1 minutes ago
Should you avoid stepping out between 11 am and 4 pm in summer? Doctor shares 8 reasons your body can't handle the heatKnow why this common medical advice actually holds up and what changes your body undergoes when exposed to extreme heat during these hours. Published on: May 06
1 minutes ago
Bengaluru-based loyalty and customer engagement firm reported a 26% year-on-year (YoY) rise in operating revenue for the March quarter, driven by expansion within its existing customer base, new annual contracts, and integration of the Kognitiv business acquired last year
1 minutes ago
In 105 seats that the Bharatiya Janata Party won in West Bengal, the total number of voters deleted during the special intensive revision exceeds its margin of victory, according to a data analysis by Scroll. Of these, 86 are seats that the BJP has never won before
1 minutes ago
The rupee appreciated by 23 paise to 94.95 against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) as Brent crude prices retreated from their elevated level after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a possible deal with Iran. Forex traders said oil prices fell to $108 per barrel
1 minutes ago
Synopsis: The Future of Knowledge Work Summit 2026 in Bengaluru explores how AI is transforming knowledge work and redefining roles and skills. This exclusive summit brings senior leaders together to understand the shift from automated tasks to the rising importance of human judgment, creativity
1 minutes ago
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) Multi-brand restaurant operator Trimex Foods on Wednesday said it has bagged franchise rights for American Chinese dining brand Panda Express in India from a subsidiary of Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. Through this alliance
1 minutes ago
The Jharkhand Board on Wednesday announced Class 12th results on the official website of the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC). Students who took the exams can access their results on jac.jharkhand.gov.in, jacresults.com by entering their roll number, roll code, and choosing their respective stream
1 minutes ago
Oil prices have dropped following reports that the US and Iran are close to a deal to end the war. Brent crude futures, the global benchmark oil price, fell to below $102 (£75) a barrel after the reports. The price was over $108 earlier in the day
1 minutes ago
Kyle Rittenhouse says ‘felons deserve the right to own guns'; sparks debateKyle Rittenhouse has sparked a debate with a post on X, where he suggested that felons should be given the right to own guns if they serve their time. Published on: May 06
1 minutes ago
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned US-Israel military actions as "illegitimate" during talks with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing. The meeting, part of Tehran's broader diplomatic tour, focused on a regional ceasefire, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz
1 minutes ago
In a landmark decision aimed at bridging the educational divide in Maharashtra’s most challenging terrains, the Maharashtra State Cabinet has officially sanctioned the expansion of 24 tribal ashram schools. The meeting chaired by CM Devendra Fadnavis approved a strategic plan to upgrade five
1 minutes ago
The Aam Janata Unnayan Party led by former West Bengal minister Humayun Kabir has moved the Calcutta High Court alleging large-scale violence in Murshidabad district following the Assembly elections, Live Law reported on Wednesday. Kabir had been suspended by the Trinamool Congress in December
1 minutes ago
Pakistan athletes allowed in India, but bilateral sports ban stays as Government clarifies multilateral event policyIndia maintains a bilateral sporting ban with Pakistan but allows Pakistani teams to compete in multilateral events hosted in India. Published on: May 06
1 minutes ago
