New Zealand - White Island volcano erupts, 19 dead, many injuries from cruise excursion, 9 Dec 2019 *charges*

[SouthAussie]

Is that plus the 2 missing (presumed dead) tour guides, so 17? What a horrible nightmare this is.

I think so ... they are saying that 15 is now the 'official' death toll. I don't think they include missing people in that (?), not until their deaths are officially confirmed.

They are saying this morning that the team that are - right now - on the island looking for the missing can only stay on the island for 75 mins, so they are using a buddy system of taking it in turns to search.

Their best and heaviest breathing equipment can only safely cover 75 mins of exposure to the island's air, plus they are working on a surface that is searingly hot.

 

[SouthAussie]

An Aussie man has now passed away in a Sydney hospital. He was one of the people who were repatriated to Australia just recently. His family does not want him to be named.
Every day, more sad news from this tragedy.

White Island volcano: what we know about the victims


The official death toll is now 16 — including 15 people who died in New Zealand and the man in Australia.
More Australian White Island volcano victims formally identified by police

 

[mickey2942]

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-zealand-volcano-tours-ads/index.html

After reading this article, it is pretty clear that these folks knew that this trip was potentially hazardous. Apparently, they had to sign waivers, were issued gas masks, and hard hats to wear.

It makes me angry that children were allowed on this island. It should have been specified for adults over the age of 18, who consented to the potential dangers of visiting a live volcano.

 

[SouthAussie]

Jacinda Ardern ..........

"A week ago New Zealand experienced the most extraordinary tragedy – an eruption on Whakaari/White Island while kiwi guides and guests from around the world were visiting," Ms Ardern wrote.

"Lives were lost immediately, and in the days that have followed others have succumbed to their injuries. There are almost no words for the stories of both the aftermath and the loss that has followed.

"I want to pay tribute to the many people who did extraordinary things to save lives – whether it was through rescue efforts or the ongoing response by health professionals across the country.

"To the recovery team who made it their mission to bring loved ones back from the island, right through to the council, emergency management team who have supported the local community all the way through.

"To Ngāti Awa, for the outpouring of manaakitanga and support to all that have needed a safe haven during this time. Those who have been lost are now forever linked to New Zealand, and we will hold them close."

Cruise ship returns to Sydney after volcano disaster

 

[al66pine]

Jacinda Ardern ..........
"To the recovery team who made it their mission to bring loved ones back from the island, right through to the council, emergency management team who have supported the local community all the way through....Cruise ship returns to Sydney after volcano disaster

@South Aussie sbm Thanks for providing us updated coverage hereon the sad, sad events, reporting we do not find elsewhere.
And the recovery teams, who can imagine the conditions they face? And they go willingly!

Even tho this was in NZ, it hit me hard, maybe because 20 yrs ago this week, I was in Australia, so far from US home. The White Island's natural beauty calls, beckoning many to visit. Such a fierce beauty that we overlook its sometimes fatal nature.

 

[mrjitty]

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-zealand-volcano-tours-ads/index.html

After reading this article, it is pretty clear that these folks knew that this trip was potentially hazardous. Apparently, they had to sign waivers, were issued gas masks, and hard hats to wear.

It makes me angry that children were allowed on this island. It should have been specified for adults over the age of 18, who consented to the potential dangers of visiting a live volcano.

BIB - one of the problems is because it is private property the government cannot easily control who is allowed to visit, unlike reserve land in crown ownership

 

[mickey2942]

BIB - one of the problems is because it is private property the government cannot easily control who is allowed to visit, unlike reserve land in crown ownership

Too bad their parents didn't care about the lives of their children. You don't take children to a live Volcano.

 

[musicaljoke]

Too bad their parents didn't care about the lives of their children. You don't take children to a live Volcano.

That's a very unfair judgement to make about the parents. They took their children on what they believed, and what could have been a wonderful holiday with an opportunity to explore part of the world that is rarely seen by anyone.

 

[SouthAussie]

There is an article here about the volcano ... how it has been fluctuating between Level 1 and Level 2 risks for years. These are the two lowest risks (other than being dormant, of course).
The eruption last Monday was a steam eruption, as opposed to a lava eruption. Basically, the crater blowing off a little pressure - but obviously still hazardous to us mere mortals.

New Zealand volcano: What tourists don't get about White Island (opinion) - CNN

Since then, there have been 3 earthquakes in NZ's North Island ... not geographically too far from the White Island area. And yesterday we had a series of 3 earthquakes in the Hunter region in NSW. The tectonic plates are evidently adjusting.

 

[Pi Thoughts]

Sydney teen Jesse Langford is the only member of his family who is alive and accounted for after New Zealand’s deadly volcanic eruption.

The 19-year-old remains in a coma after his parents Kristine, 45, and Anthony, 51 were killed in the eruption last Monday.

His sister Winona Langford, 17, is one of two victims whose bodies authorities haven’t yet located or retrieved from the island. While both victims are assumed dead, police have confirmed the Sydney teen and New Zealand tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman, 40, remain unaccounted for.
Unthinkable choice after volcanic eruption

 

[SouthAussie]

So many people hurting .... the injured victims and their families. And now the local businesses that rely on fisherpeople buying their wares. The whole bay is still closed for fishing, and they would like it opened up again - with an exclusion zone just around the island.
White Island eruption: Fishing and tour operators struggling

Plus this dear intensive care nurse, who nursed so many victims for so many hours after the tragedy, has now lost her life in an unrelated car accident.
Whakatāne Hospital ICU nurse who cared for White Island victims dies in crash

 

[FrostOwl]

Search for the last two victims continue in the waters, as police believe their bodies have been washed out in the sea,after being slipped into a stream because of the rain. The local Maori tribe has posted a rahui (ban) on the fishing grounds around the island. New Zealand volcano: last two bodies may never be found, say police

 

[SouthAussie]

Search for the last two victims continue in the waters, as police believe their bodies have been washed out in the sea,after being slipped into a stream because of the rain. The local Maori tribe has posted a rahui (ban) on the fishing grounds around the island. New Zealand volcano: last two bodies may never be found, say police

Now that I have read your linked article, I understand the fishing ban. It is because two people are still missing in those waters.
I think the fisherpeople will just have to change their fishing spots, maybe go out of the bay for their fishing. It is very unfortunate for them, but this whole tragedy is very unfortunate.


"Meanwhile Ngāti Awa, the local Māori tribe in the area, say the rāhui (ban) placed on the fishing grounds off the coast of Whakaari would remain in place, despite complaints from commercial fishermen.
The rāhui bans any water or boating activities as well as the collection of any seafood, and was ordered as a sign of respect to the dead and missing by Ngati Awa kaumatua (elders).

“Out of continued respect for those yet to be returned to their loved ones, and the cultural implications around the likely presence of tūpāpaku [deceased] in the moana [ocean], the rāhui will remain in place until further notice,” said Ngati Awa chair and elder Dr Hohepa Mason. “Whakaari … should be respectfully avoided at this time”.

Activities unrelated to fishing or collecting seafood would be permitted from 20 December, Mason said."

 

[JerseyGirl]

New Zealand officials say they may never recover the missing bodies from last week’s volcanic eruption. On Wednesday, police confirmed 17-year-old Winona Langford and 40-year-old Hayden Marshal-Inman are still missing.

Their bodies are believed to be in the waters surrounding the island. This comes as the official death toll from the disaster remains at 16 after six bodies were discovered from the island last Friday.

The New Zealand Police official went on to say he plans to continue searching for the bodies.

https://www.oann.com/new-zealand-of...dies-from-volcanic-eruption-may-not-be-found/

 

[Pi Thoughts]

Another person who was on New Zealand’s White Island when it erupted has died in hospital, bringing the official death toll to 17.
Another White Island volcano victim dies

 

[SouthAussie]

Another White Island volcano victim dies

Very sad. And this may continue to happen for a while yet.

I heard on the radio today that they are back out there searching the waters, after several days of very bad weather. They have also put out an alert for everyone in the area to please watch out for the two missing people who may possibly wash up on the shoreline.

 

[JerseyGirl]

The death toll rose to 19 over the weekend, while crews unsuccessfully searched for the bodies of the two victims who have yet to be recovered. The missing, identified as tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman, 40, and Australian tourist Winona Langford, 17, are presumed dead in addition to other 17 fatalities.

The latest person to die from injuries related to the eruption has not been identified. The victim died in New Zealand's Middlemore Hospital on Sunday night.

New Zealand volcano eruption: Death toll up to 19; 2 bodies missing

 

[Pi Thoughts]

One of the Australian victims of the White Island volcano eruption has been named as 43-year-old father Chris Cozad from Sydney.
Mr Cozad became the 16th person to die as a result of the eruption after succumbing to his injuries on December 14, five days after the initial eruption.
White Island: Australian father of three identified as 16th victim

 

[they'll get you]

See how the White Island volcano disaster unfolded


Here's what tourists would have seen when they arrived at White Island

 

[BeachSky]

See how the White Island volcano disaster unfolded


Here's what tourists would have seen when they arrived at White Island

Wow. Thanks. Puts what happened in perspective.