Hopes dim of finding at least 24 missing in NZ volcano
NEW Zealand police have said no more survivors were expected to be rescued from an island volcano that erupted suddenly yesterday, suggesting as many as two dozen people could have died.
Police said some 50 people were visiting White Island when it exploded in the early afternoon — hurling ash and rock high into the air.
Some 23 people made it off the island, five of whom have since died, the rest were being treated for injuries, including severe burns.
It was earlier estimated the number still on the island was in double digits.
Police said that despite several aerial reconnaissance flights to try and find those trapped “no signs of life have been seen at any point.”
“Based on the information we have, we do not believe there are any survivors on the island. Police are working urgently to confirm the exact number of those who have died.”
As night fell, deputy commissioner John Tims said volcanic activity made rescue attempts by land too dangerous.
“I’ve got to consider the safety of our people and emergency services staff,” he said.
The New Zealand military is expected to make a pass of the island at first light in the hope that people may have survived against the odds.
The eruption occurred just after 2pm, thrusting a thick plume of white ash 3.6 kilometers into the sky.
Seconds before, live camera feeds showed a group of more than a half dozen people walking on the crater floor. Then the images went black.
A “considerable number” of those caught up in the disaster are believed to be Australian, according to officials in Canberra. As many as 30 of those involved are also believed to be cruise passengers on a day trip from the vessel Ovation of the Seas, Kevin O’Sullivan, chief executive officer of industry body the New Zealand Cruise Association said.
The ship’s operator Royal Caribbean, which had billed the trip to White Island as “an unforgettable guided tour of New
Zealand’s most active volcano,” said “a number of our guests were touring the island” but did not confirm that number.
The ship has a capacity of around 4,000 people and set sail from Sydney last week on a 12-day voyage.
Tourist Michael Schade, made it off the island just in time and was able to capture footage of the devastation.
His videos showed groups of startled tourists clustered by the shoreline, waiting to be evacuated as the ground around them smouldered, the sky filled with white debris. An ash-caked helicopter lay damaged nearby.
Volcanic Air said they had landed a helicopter on the island shortly before the eruption carrying four visitors and one pilot. All were now accounted for.
“It had landed on the island. What happened after that we don’t know, but we know that all five made it back to Whakatane on one of the tourist boats,” a company spokesman said.
(AFP)