Four Australians Stranded on Death Cruise

Four Australians are stranded aboard a luxury cruise ship at the centre of a suspected deadly Hantavirus outbreak, after authorities refused the vessel permission to dock. Three passengers have reportedly died.

The Australians are among 149 passengers from 23 countries on board the MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions. It is understood the Australian passengers are not currently showing any symptoms.

In its latest update, the company confirmed the ship is continuing to manage a serious medical situation.

The vessel is currently positioned off the coast of Cape Verde but has been denied entry to the West African island nation following the deaths and reports of others falling seriously ill with related symptoms.

The ship had been on a week-long polar voyage from Argentina to Antarctica and had sought urgent assistance from local health authorities on Sunday after the most recent fatality was reported.