WELLINGTON, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Two more people (Australian brothers) died in hospital overnight, following the volcanic eruption on White Island, bringing the death toll to eight, local police said, today.
“One was treated at Middlemore Hospital and one at Waikato Hospital. Police remain focused on supporting families at this terrible time,” said the statement.
Forty-seven people were on White Island at the time of the eruption on Monday.
Police said earlier that, the volcanic eruption caused six deaths and eight missing, with thirty people being treated in seven hospitals across New Zealand. Twenty-five of the injured were in critical condition.
Ashley Bloomfield, director general of New Zealand Ministry of Health, said, the multiple complex burn action plan, had been activated. Many of the injured are said to have more than 30 percent body burnt.
White Island is a famous tourist attraction in New Zealand. People can explore the volcanic island by boat or by helicopter. If safety conditions permit, visitors can even enter the main volcano crater.– NNN-AGENCIES