New Zealand volcano erupts

[Paul Bryant]

All is O.K. where I am, 110 miles inland as the crow flies, but hey on the scale of nature, that's nothing !

 

[Ishrub]

The death toll from the White Island volcanic explosion could reach double digits, with New Zealand police saying they have found “no signs of life” on the island.

There were 47 people in total on White Island when the volcano erupted on Monday afternoon.

Five are confirmed dead, eight are missing and 31 are in hospital.

Thirty-four injured people and five bodies were taken off the island by rescuers.

 

[munster]

This Kiwi is safe. I was near Ruapehu (Army Training in Waiouru) when she blew in ‘96. At least we could drive out of the area. Never been tempted to visit White Island. Rotorua ( Rottenrua / Rotovegas) smells bad enough, I couldn’t imagine visiting an island made of that. Thoughts to all though.

 

[CanberraR3]

At least 3 Australians among the dead, 13 in hospital in critical condition and 11 still missing.

 

[TRIIICK]

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time....
Within a minute this camera was destroyed. There are fears for the people in its final frame

 

[barbagris]

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time....

Or a camera in the right place at the right time.

 

[Kojack1970]

Or a camera in the right place at the right time.

Very sad for those injured, dead and their families. Unfortunately someone is probably going to swing for this. Saw on the news today that the folks monitoring this volcano saw a uptick in seismic activity but no one raised the alarm and closed the area to visitors. That said, we all take a risk visiting a volcano, active or not. I remember thinking that when in Hawaii and visiting some of the active and lessor active craters and silently thinking, if this lets go I have zero chance.

 

[Tal]

You really got to feel for all those who were struck down,badly burnt and impacted by this tragedy..you wouldnt get me anywhere near a volcano which is bubbling away ....too unpredictable for me!
This is many many miles from where we live down here in Christchurch but we do get the odd earthquake.
Our thoughts are with all those affected.

 

[Navigator]

Yup, the news just keeps getting worse. That young American couple on their honeymoon were terribly burned, as were apparently many others. One report said that the casualties had overwhelmed the burn treatment facilities. Bad

Back in the late 60s when I was a young Sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor Honolulu would get blanked with volcanic ash when Kilauea would blow. The native Hawaiians said that the volcano goddess Pele was awakening. I used to ask how we could get her to go back to sleep.

 

[Ishrub]

Yeah most of the Australian burns victim survivors are being flown back to Australian burns units in Aussie airforce planes ASAP as far too many for NZ burns units to deal with.

Two more people have died from injuries sustained during the eruption. A total of 16 people are believed to have died, with 14 confirmed deaths of Australian citizens or permanent residents. A New Zealander, tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman, has also died.......
The Australian department of foreign affairs and trade confirmed that 28 Australian citizens or permanent residents were caught up in the disaster. Ten Aussies and one permanent resident were presumed dead or missing. This included people who died on the island and whose bodies were brought back to the mainland as well as those thought to still be on the island. Three people, including two permanent residents and one Aussie were brought to hospital but died of their injuries.
The two latest confirmed fatalities were Berend Hollander, 16, and his brother Matthew Hollander, 13, from Sydney. Their parents remain unaccounted for.
Five Aussies have been evacuated to Australian hospitals. Another eight Aussies were expected to be airlifted later on Thursday. Another is expected to remain at the New Zealand hospital where they are currently being treated.

Twenty-eight people remain in hospital, including 25 in critical condition. Many of the injured suffered severe burns and were being treated at hospital burn units around New Zealand.