Regional leader of Spain's Canary Islands rejects hantavirus-hit cruise docking there

MADRID, May ⁠6 (Reuters) - The regional ​government of Spain's Canary Islands is opposed ​to ‌allowing a luxury cruise ship that has ⁠been hit by an ⁠outbreak of ​the deadly hantavirusto dock on the archipelago, its leader, Fernando Clavijo, said on Wednesday.

"This ​decision ‌is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the public ​or guarantee their safety," Clavijo told ‌radio station COPE.

He added that he had requested an ‌urgent meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to discuss the issue. Clavijo belongs ​to the conservative People's Party - the main opposition ‌to Sanchez's Socialists.

Earlier on Wednesday, Spanish state broadcaster TVE reported the cruise ship ⁠was ⁠set to dock at ‌the Canary island of Tenerife, citing sources from ​the ​country's health ministry. The ministry ‌did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. (Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Charlie Devereux)