On a dusty hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the south of Tenerife, groups of tourists and locals are gathered to witness one of the island’s best new attractions.

Some are gazing through binoculars while others are taking photos on their phones of a vessel only a few hundreds metres away, anchored near the Granadillo commercial port.

It is the MV Hondius, the small cruise ship at the centre of a giant global commotion.

Christened the “rat virus boat” by the internet after three people travelling onboard died of hantavirus , a disease normally carried by rats and mice, its story has enraptured people all over the world.

And now, after reaching the Canary Islands shortly before dawn on Sunday, the ship is finally being evacuated, ending the ordeal for the remaining 149 passengers and crew.

Tourists Amy Byres (left) and Emma Armitage.…