Plans for dangerous mission to recover bodies from volcanic island in New Zealand despite eruption risk
New Zealand authorities are planning a mission to recover eight bodies on the volcanic White Island on Friday morning, despite warnings from scientists of the risk of another eruption.
At least eight people have died as a result of the huge explosion on Monday, while more than 20 people are in intensive care suffering severe burns.
Eight more people are missing on the island and presumed dead, buried under ash and debris from Monday's eruption.
"I can now confirm that we are finalising a plan to recover the bodies from Whakaari/ White Island tomorrow morning," police Deputy Commissioner John Tims said in a statement on Thursday. Families wouldbe briefed on the operation later in the day, he added.
Graham Leonard, of New Zealand's geological science agency GNS Science, said the risk of an eruption in the next 24 hours had increased from 40-60% to 50-60%.
“It is highly volatile and uncertain. There are ongoing tremors, today is less safe than yesterday,” he said.
Mr Leonard shared maps showing the island’s risk zones. The red “no go” zone covered more than half the island. Mr Leonard said “as scientists, we would need a strong reason to go into the yellow zone”, which covered the rest of Whakaari / White Island.
“The police will make their own decisions… We have shared our risk assessments with the police,” he said.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield from the Department of Health said New Zealand has ordered more skin from the United States and also skin from Australia for skin grafts.
He said 21 patients remain in New Zealand burns units, 16 of whom are still in critical condition.
It is understood that two British women are among those still in hospital.
Burns specialists from the United Kingdom and other countries have offered to come to New Zealand to assist, and arrangements will be made over coming days.
Two young Australian brothers have died as a result of the eruption on Whakaari / White Island, bringing the official death toll to eight.
Berend Hollander, 16, and his brother Matthew, 13, from Sydney, died from their injuries. Their parents remain unaccounted for.
