New Zealand volcano: Fears of new eruptions on island where eight people still missing
Officials say that many of the 31 people who were injured have suffered extensive burns, and some could succumb to their wounds.
Wednesday 11 December 2019 05:07, UK
Eight people are still missing and presumed dead following Monday's volcanic eruption in New Zealand, police have said.
Officials have warned there is a "40-60% chance" another eruption could happen on White Island - also known by the Maori name Whakaari - in the next 24 hours.
Forty-seven people were on the uninhabited island at the time of the eruption. Six people have been confirmed dead, and 33 others are injured.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said recovery teams were hoping to soon reach the island for the first time.
But experts from the GeoNet seismic monitoring agency recorded volcanic tremors on the island on Wednesday morning, accompanied by an increase in the amount of steam and mud being released, meaning it is not safe for crews to try to recover bodies that remain there.
"We interpret these signals as evidence of continued high gas pressures within the volcano," the agency said.
"The situation remains highly uncertain as to future activity. Eruptions in the next 24 hours are still likely to occur."
Police said they were still unsure when the operation would begin and that information from experts is being assessed every few hours.
"We cannot put other people in jeopardy to go out there until we're absolutely certain that the island is actually
safe," said Acting Assistant Commissioner Bruce Bird
The first victim was revealed as New Zealand tour guide Hayden Marshal-Inman, who his brother Mark described as a "lovely young man" who died doing what he loved.
The first two Australian victims were confirmed on Wednesday as Julie Richards, 47, and her daughter Jessica, 20, from Queensland.
Family friend John Mickel told Sky News Australia their family was informed by authorities early on Wednesday and the pair left for new Zealand last Monday and were due back home this weekend.
Police have also said:
- Of the 31 injured, at least 27 have suffered greater than 30% body surface burns
- Some of those hurt could die from their wounds
- Five people died in the eruption and one died in hospital on Tuesday night
- Burns units across the nation are "full to capacity"
- Most of the victims are from Australia and New Zealand
- Tourists from the UK, the US, Germany, China, Malaysia are also affected
- Post-mortems on the six confirmed victims are taking place in Auckland
Many of the visitors were on a day tour from a cruise in a nearby port.
"The scale of this tragedy is devastating. To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your grief and sorrow and we are devastated," said New Zealand's prime minister.
A helicopter rescue pilot who flew some of the victims to hospital told Television New Zealand they were in a "fairly serious condition".
He added: "They were pretty poorly... but covered in ash, looking quite badly burned."
An American couple from Virginia were among those who sustained serious burns after the eruption.
Newlyweds Matthew and Lauren Urey had been on a day drip to White Island from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas when the volcano went off.
His mother Janet said: "The phone rang at midnight. Then I heard a voicemail come on.
"It was my son. He said: 'Mom... this is not a joke. A volcano erupted while we were on the island. We're at the hospital with severe burns.'"
Mr Urey, 36, was airlifted to hospital in Christchurch with burns over 80% of his body - while his 32-year-old wife underwent surgery at an Auckland hospital with burns over 20% of her body.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said three Australians were feared to be among the six confirmed deaths, with 13 among the injured.
Britain's high commissioner to New Zealand confirmed two British women were hurt, while Malaysia's high commission in New Zealand said one Malaysian was among the dead.
An intensive care paramedic with a helicopter team, Russell Clark, described the early scenes as a "shocking experience".
He also likened the scene on White Island to the recent TV drama mini-series Chernobyl.
"Everything was just blanketed in ash," he said. "It was quite an overwhelming feeling."
New Zealand's geological hazards agency GeoNet raised the alert level for the volcano in November because of an increase in volcanic activity. The volcano's last deadly eruption was in 1914, when it killed 12 sulphur miners.
White Island is privately owned and attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year.