FIVE DEAD, OTHERS MISSING IN NEW ZEALAND VOLCANO
Adesperate search continued last night for possibly more than 20 people who are still believed to be missing on New Zealand’s White Island after a deadly volcanic eruption earlier yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference, New Zealand National Operation Commander Deputy Commissioner John Tims said that there had been fewer than 50 people on the island at the time of the eruption. So far 23 people have been evacuated, one of whom has died from their injuries. But an unknown number still remained behind on White Island, which Police consider to be highly dangerous.
“At this stage it is too dangerous for Police and rescue services to go on to the island ... the island is currently covered in ash and volcanic material,” he said.
There has been no communication from those remaining on the island since the eruption, he said. Both New Zealanders and tourists have been caught up in the disaster, police said in a statement. “Based on the information we have it is likely that there are other (fatalities),” the statement said.
“Police are leading the search and rescue operation and we are working at pace to confirm the numbers of those involved.” About 20 tourists from the nearby cruise ship Ovation of the Seas were on White Island at the time of the eruption, New Zealand Cruise Association chief executive officer Kevin O’Sullivan told CNN.
“Our hope is that everyone will be recovered quickly and unharmed,” he said.
Images of a crater on the island from cameras run by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences appear to show a group of people inside the smoking center just minutes before the eruption.
Speaking at an earlier press conference, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was too early to say how bad the injuries were but added it was her understanding that a number of those affected were tourists.
Speaking to CNN-affiliate Radio New Zealand, St. John Ambulance said that up to 20 people are believed to have been injured in the eruption, adding that a mobile triage unit had been deployed. Tourist Michael Schade and his family had been on the volcano just 20 minutes before it erupted. They were waiting on a boat, about to leave, when the eruption occurred.
Mr Schade took videos of the ride leaving the island, showing giant plumes of thick black smoke as the boat quickly departed. “Those are some of the people (our) boat picked up. Praying for them and their recovery. Woman my mom tended to was in critical condition but seemed strong by the end.”