WELLINGTON, Dec 14 (NNN-XINHUA) – The recovery team retrieved six bodies from New Zealand’s White Island volcano, despite eruption risks, four days after it erupted.
Efforts are still being made to recover two more bodies, including one that was spotted in the water, near the shore of the volcano Island, and the other is still missing and presumed dead.
At the time of eruption, there were 47 tourists and tour guides on the island, a major scenic spot about 30-minute sailing from the east coast of the North Island.
The six bodies were transported on a New Zealand navy vessel, while 15 victims are being treated in burns units nationwide, and 13 Australians having been transferred back to home hospitals.
The recovery brings the official death toll from Monday’s eruption to at least 15.
“Today was all about reuniting them with their loved ones,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“We know that reunification won’t ease that sense of loss or grief because I don’t think anything can. But we felt an enormous duty of care as New Zealanders to make sure that we brought their family members back,” Ardern said.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush told media, “We are very focused on finding the other two and returning them to their loved ones.”
Families of the victims attended a sea blessing at sea close to the White Island, 50 km offshore from Whakatane, Friday morning.
According to updated calculations provided by GeoNet volcanologists, there is a 50 to 60 percent chance of another eruption occurring, that could impact outside of the marked vent area, within the next 24 hours.
Since around 4:00 a.m. Wednesday local time, the level of volcanic tremor has significantly increased at the island, said GeoNet.– NNN-XINHUA