Two days after the volcanic eruption, eight bodies are suspected on White Island. But the rescue teams could still not enter the island off New Zealand's North Island because of the danger of another outbreak, police said. The uninhabited island remains closed. The head of the national civil defense, Sarah Stuart-Black, spoke of a "very tragic situation", not only for the relatives.
Because the weather is expected to start on Thursday, the authorities are under massive pressure to finally begin recovering the bodies. From the volcanic crater but continue to release toxic gases, the whole island is covered with a thick layer of acidic ash. According to seismologists, the risk of another outbreak is 40 to 60 percent.
"It would be madness to send men and women to White Island if it is not safe there for them," said Police Minister Stuart Nash to Radio New Zealand. On Wednesday, the rescuers deployed a drone to measure the concentration of toxic gases in the air around the island. The collected data would still need to be evaluated, the police said.
Video: Fear of further outbreak prevents salvage
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
"Any day that passes without the bodies being recovered is a day of agony for their loved ones," said civil protection director Sarah Stuart-Black. So far, the risk is "just too big". The police check every two or three hours to see whether the mission can finally start, assures police chief Bruce Bird.
"We are certainly not over the mountain yet"
In total, 47 people remained on the island at the time of the eruption, including four Germans who were injured in Berlin, according to the Foreign Office. The other excursion tourists and tour guides came from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Malaysia and New Zealand, and most of them as day-trippers on the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
According to the Ministry of Health, another 22 survivors with the most severe burns were in mortal danger. Several of the victims could not speak, they have severe burns not only on the body surface, but also on internal organs, said Police Minister Nash.
Doctors in the Manukau district announced on Monday to request an additional 120 square meters of skin needed for the ongoing treatment of the wounds and grafts. The operating theaters are in operation around the clock to treat the victims of the accident.
According to experts, the volcano emitted extremely hot steam and cannonball-sized boulders during the eruption. Some of those injured were "very, very badly injured" and might not be rescued despite excellent treatment, Nash said. "We wish them well, but we are certainly not over the mountain yet."
The Australian government meanwhile announced that it would fly some of the injured to Australia. Three Australian Air Force aircraft have already flown to New Zealand, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. The transport of up to ten patients should begin in the next 24 hours.
White Island - known to the Maori, New Zealand indigenous people, Whakaari - is located in the Bay of Plenty in the northeast, off the New Zealand North Island. The volcano is considered the most dangerous in the country. He was active again for some time, but always boats with excursionists drove there. Entering the island was only allowed with trained guides. The privately owned island is now completely closed as a death zone.
