A mission to recover the two remaining bodies of victims of the White Island volcano eruption will continue tomorrow, after emergency services risked their lives today to retrieve six bodies from the disaster zone.
Wearing protective suits and using breathing apparatus owing to the threat of toxic gases, New Zealand police and defence force personnel launched today’s operation at first light despite warnings of further activity from the volcano.
They recovered six bodies — all thought to be those of Australian tourists — which were transferred by helicopter to a navy ship, to be taken to Auckland for identification. One more body was spotted in the sea but could not be recovered, while an eighth body is yet to be located.
“The operation was not without risk but thanks to sound planning and the skills of the specialist team involved we have recovered the six bodies,” New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush said.
“The environment the recovery team faced today was highly unpredictable and challenging.
They showed absolute courage and commitment to ensure we can offer some closure to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones.”
Sixteen people died in Monday’s eruption, with more than 30 — including two British women — taken to hospital.
A total of 47 people were visiting New Zealand’s most active volcano when the blast occurred.
Today’s recovery mission began amid sombre scenes near the island, 30 miles off the coast, as a blessing was held at sea with relatives of the victims.
“Today was all about returning them to their loved ones,” New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern told a media conference in Whakatane, the mainland coastal town where 100 family and local community members prayed and sang together.
She added: “We felt an enormous sense of duty as New Zealanders to bring their loved ones home.”
