New video loaded: YouTuber recounts the moment captain announced deaths on MV Hondius
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YouTuber recounts the moment captain announced deaths on MV Hondius
Since April 11, three passengers aboard the Hondius have died and five others have fallen ill after showing symptoms of hantavirus. Turkish YouTuber Ruhi Sennett disembarked from the ship on April 24, and told The Times how staff members reacted to the first death.
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My cameraman and I tried to distance ourselves. We didn’t leave our cabin as much as possible. We stayed there. Management didn’t understand what was going on and didn’t rule it out as a possibility – any infectious disease. “Okay, good morning everyone. One of our passengers tragically passed away last night. It’s sad, we believe it was from natural causes. As well as any health issues he was dealing with, the doctor has told me they were not contagious.” He said that a gentleman has passed away. Everyone was shocked, but the ship management tried to calm people down. So I thought that maybe people might be running a fever around. That was the first initial thought, and after watching this woman struggle with her situation, I thought, it’s better to stay in the room than take any risks. For a few weeks, I don’t plan on going out in public and if I have any symptoms, I’ve been told I have to wear a mask and call an ambulance.
By James McManagan, Amelia Nirenberg and Daniel Featherston
7 May 2026
