Six more bodies have been discovered, evacuated and airlifted off the White Island volcano in New Zealand out of eight believed to have been left there after Monday's volcanic eruption. The bodies have been flown to the naval vessel HMNZS Wellington.
New Zealand Military experts embark on the "high-speed" operation to recover the bodies despite the risk of another eruption. Dozens of tourists were visiting White Island when the eruption occurred . The eight-person squad spent four hours searching the island for victims, and New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said "the environment that those staff encountered was unpredictable." But that was putting it lightly.
The police said police divers would search the sea around the island and aerial surveillance would be used to try and locate the two victims. "We do believe that at least one of them is in the water and the other one we are unsure," Commissioner Bush said at a news briefing.
Conditions were good for Friday's recovery operation, with light winds and calm seas, and the volcano was "quiet" as the team worked, Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement said. The specialists were all safe, said Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims, who is also the national operations commander. He praised "their efforts and the bravery they have shown."
The Police Chief said the relatives of the victims waited anxiously for the mission's return after earlier attending a blessing near the island.
This recovery on Friday brought the confirmed death toll to 14, two others were still missing. The two are presumed dead, but rescuers will have to go back to try and recover them — despite warnings that the volcano remains very volatile.
20 remain in intensive care with severe burns. Doctor said the survival rate very limited.
Some 47 visitors from around the world were on the island when it erupted. Twenty-four were from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China, two from the UK, and one from Malaysia.
GeoNet, New Zealand's geological hazard information site, said on Thursday there was a 50-60% chance of another eruption within the next 24 hours. But families of the victims have been growing increasingly desperate for the bodies to be recovered.
"We are now living with a growing sense of desperation to bring home those that we know are there," Whakatane Mayor Judy Turner told reporters. "The frustration of those families most affected is completely understandable."
What's the recovery plan?
During the operation, a geologist is analysing real-time data to assess whether the mission needs to be aborted.
This recovery on Friday brought the confirmed death toll to 14, two others were still missing. The two are presumed dead, but rescuers will have to go back to try and recover them — despite warnings that the volcano remains very volatile.
20 remain in intensive care with severe burns. Doctor said the survival rate very limited.
Some 47 visitors from around the world were on the island when it erupted. Twenty-four were from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China, two from the UK, and one from Malaysia.
GeoNet, New Zealand's geological hazard information site, said on Thursday there was a 50-60% chance of another eruption within the next 24 hours. But families of the victims have been growing increasingly desperate for the bodies to be recovered.
"We are now living with a growing sense of desperation to bring home those that we know are there," Whakatane Mayor Judy Turner told reporters. "The frustration of those families most affected is completely understandable."
What's the recovery plan?
During the operation, a geologist is analysing real-time data to assess whether the mission needs to be aborted.
Sources: BBC / CBS
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