MADRID, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Two suspected hantavirus patients evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius remained aboard a grounded air ambulance in Spain's Canary Islands on Wednesday while awaiting a replacement aircraft following a technical malfunction, Spain's Health Ministry said.

The aircraft had departed from Cape Verde and was originally expected to refuel in the western Moroccan city of Marrakesh en route to Amsterdam. However, according to Spanish media reports, Moroccan authorities did not authorize the landing.

"During the refueling stop, the plane's doctor reported a failure in the patient's electrical support system," Spain's Health Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that both patients, including the ship's doctor, remained aboard the aircraft with electrical support provided by the airport while awaiting a replacement plane.

"The patients do not pose a risk to public health and will remain on the tarmac until the situation is resolved," the ministry added.

The evacuation operation is part of the international response to a hantavirus outbreak linked to the Dutch-operated cruise ship MV Hondius. ■