NZ volcano eruption: Australian found alive as death toll rises
The official death toll from the NZ volcano eruption has risen to six, with eight still missing, as an Australian mum is found alive but with severe burns.
- Up to 14 dead after tragedy
- White Island scene ‘like Chernobyl’
- Fears for Sydney family
- ‘Missing’ couple safe
- What we know so far
- Red Cross names missing Aussies
- Three Aussies believed among dead
- First victim named
- ‘No signs of life’ pilot landed
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the New Zealand volcano tragedy. Three Australians are believed to be among the six people who have been confirmed dead, while eight other people are still missing, feared dead after White Island exploded on Monday. Police have confirmed there are no signs of life on the island.
Mark Schliebs 8.29pm: Official death toll rises to six
Another person is confirmed dead following a volcano eruption in New Zealand, bringing the official death toll to six.
New Zealand Police tonight revealed the person, who was able to be removed from White Island, also known as Whakaari, died in hospital on Tuesday.
“Police can confirm a further person has died following the eruption on Whakaari/White Island, bringing the official toll to six,” a spokesperson said.
“The person was earlier being treated at Middlemore Hospital.
“Police remain focused on supporting families at this terrible time.”
Police have not released further details about any of those six who have died.
Another eight people are missing, presumed dead, following Monday’s eruption.
David Penberthy 6.56pm: Australian woman found alive but family still missing
An Adelaide mother who appeared to have perished in Monday’s volcano tragedy has been found critically injured in a New Zealand hospital - but the gravest fears are held for her husband and 15-year-old daughter who are still unaccounted for.
Zoe Hosking, 15, and her stepfather Gavin Dallow, 53, and mother Lisa Hosking, 48, were officially listed as missing on Tuesday following the White Island volcano tragedy, with their desperate family in Adelaide trying to obtain details of their whereabouts.
Late on Tuesday it emerged that Lisa Hosking was still alive but with severe burns and being treated at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton — but as of 6pm, there was still word as to her husband or daughter.
With up to 11 Australians feared dead and 13 taken to hospital, those among the missing also include a Sydney family of four, a Brisbane mother and daughter, and a Coffs Harbour couple.
New Zealand Police confirmed on Tuesday that of 47 people on the island when the Whakaari/White Island volcano erupted at 2:11pm local time on Monday, five had been confirmed dead, eight were missing presumed dead and 34 had been taken to hospital — many of them in a critical condition.
Read more on missing Australians here.
5.53pm: NZ police correct earlier statement
NZ police have stepped back from their original statement that a criminal investigation had been launched.
In a press statement this evening police said “to correct an earlier statement, it is too early to confirm whether there will also be a criminal investigation.”
Police confirmed they are investigating the death of individuals on Whakaari/White Island on behalf of the coroner, in parallel with a WorkSafe New Zealand investigation.
Rachel Baxendale 4.23pm: 50pc chance of another eruption
Experts from New Zealand scientific agency GNS Science said there was a 50 per cent chance the volcano would erupt again within 24 hours.
Rachel Baxendale 4.13pm: Drone footage used to locate bodies
Asked whether police knew who the eight people who are missing, presumed dead are, Mr Tims said markings on photographs taken by drones showed the probable locations of six of the bodies.
“We have some photos and they are marked, you can see some markings on the photos that indicate perhaps where the bodies are, so we’ve got an idea,” he said.
“Certainly the bodies are covered in ash.
“We’re unsure what the state of the bodies will be in.”
Asked where the bodies were located in relation to the volcano crater and island shore, Mr Tims said it would be difficult to explain without having the photograph in front of him.
“There’s six markings on the photo I’ve seen. We know there’s eight unaccounted for,” he said.
Mr Tims said the bodies of the five people confirmed dead had been conveyed to Auckland for post-mortem examinations to take place.
Asked when their names would be released, Mr Tims said it would “days rather than weeks” but that he could not give an exact time.
He said the cruise ship on which the volcano victims had been travelling, Ovation of the Seas, would likely be “in port for the next couple of days”, having been scheduled to leave Tauranga this evening.
Rachel Baxendale 3.53pm: Majority have burns to more than 30 per cent of their bodies
New Zealand Acting Chief Medical Officer Pete Watson said that of the 31 people who had been injured, 25 were in four regional burns units located in the Christchurch Hospital (eight people), Waikato Hospital in Hamilton (eight people), Hutt Valley Hospital near Wellington (five people) and Middlemore Hospital, Auckland (four people).
Dr Watson said four patients had been referred to Tauranga Hospital and two to Auckland Hospital for treatment, and would be transferred to a regional burns unit as soon as there was capacity.
“All of our burns units are full to capacity,” he said.
“Our hospitals, plastic surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing staff intensivists and others are doing their very utmost to treat the survivors, many of whom have sustained very severe injuries.
“Of those injured, 27 of the 31 have suffered greater than 30 per cent total body surface area burns.
“Many have inhalation burns that require airway support.”
Dr Watson said the injured patients were ages between 13 and 72 and most were visitors to New Zealand.
“Our job in our hospitals now is to do the best we can to treat those who are injured. We believe we are up to the challenge and are currently assessing additional resources that are needed and will be needed to provide the care required.
“This is likely to include the early transfer of several seriously injured Australian citizens who are well enough to burns units in Australia.
“We will be able to provide more details on this as arrangements are firmed up. It makes sense to do this because of the proximity of Australia, the ability of patients to be safely transported and that when they are transported, they’ll be treated at home, closer to their family and their usual supports.”
Dr Watson said it was important not to underestimate the gravity of the injuries suffered, the response being mounted by New Zealand’s hospitals and the time it would take for some patients to recover.
“The volume of work facing our national burns unit at Middlemore Hospital in one day is equivalent to the normal workload that they would see in a typical year in the burns unit at Middlemore.”
3.30pm: Santos engineer among missing
Santos Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Gallagher says it is “concerning and upsetting” that one of the company’s engineers, Lisa Dallow, is missing following the eruption.
“Senior Reservoir Engineer Lisa Dallow, her husband Gavin Dallow and daughter Zoe Hosking are among the Australians reported as missing after the White Island volcano eruption in New Zealand,” he said via a statement.
“Lisa has been part of the Santos family since 1998. She is a very well respected engineer, and a good friend to many throughout the business.
“This news has distressed many of our people and support has been offered to Lisa’s teammates.
“Our thoughts are with Lisa’s family and all those affected by this tragedy.”
Rachel Baxendale 3.22pm: 13 dead, criminal probe imminent
New Zealand police will conduct a criminal investigation into how 47 people came to be on Whakaari/White Island yesterday when a volcano erupted, killing at least five, with eight missing presumed dead and 31 in hospital, the majority with burns to more than 30 per cent of their bodies.
New Zealand deputy police commissioner John Tims said police were confident that everyone who could be rescued from the island on Monday had been.
“A number of flights were carried out throughout the day and no signs of life were seen,” Mr Tims said.
He confirmed the nationalities of the 47 people on the island when the earthquake hit shortly after 2pm local time on Monday.
They include 24 Australians, two people from the UK, four Germans, five New Zealanders, two Chinese, one Malaysian and nine people from the US.
Mr Tims said he could not break the numbers down further until formal identification processes had been completed.
“I can confirm that there have been five fatalities. The five deceased have been transported to Auckland where a post-mortem will be carried out,” Mr Tims said.
“There are approximately eight people missing and presumed deceased.
“When it comes to the investigation, I can confirm now that we will commence a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the death and injuries on White Island.
“The terms of reference will be developed over the next few days.
“This will be carried out in parallel with the WorkSafe New Zealand investigation. WorkSafe New Zealand has opened a health and safety investigation into the harm and loss of life caused by the eruption.”
Mr Tims said police would do “everything we can” to retrieve the bodies of those who had perished on the island, and were on Tuesday working with Defence to determine conditions using drone technology carrying specialised measuring equipment.
“This requires a boat getting into within 1km of the island, in order to launch the drones. We are hoping to do this today. Unfortunately, we have had one attempt, the conditions have been against us and it’s been too windy.
“We will continue to do so today if weather permits,” Mr Tims said.
“We understand the desire from the locals and the loved ones, to remove their family from the island.”
3.05pm: Further eight presumed dead, criminal probe imminent
NZ Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims says the five deceased had been transported to Auckland for a post mortem. Eight people were missing, presumed deceased. He adds a police investigation will commence.
2.32pm: One Malaysian killed
At least one Malaysian national is among those killed in Monday’s eruption.
Malaysian authorities have confirmed they were told of the death at 9.30am.
“(We were) informed by NZ authorities that at least one deceased is Malaysian. Further details are being obtained as the investigations progress,” a statement from the High Commission of Malaysia in Wellington read.
“We are working closely with the local authorities and will continue to update from time to time.”
2.16pm: White Island scene ‘like Chernobyl disaster’
Officials said on Tuesday they were still working with scientific experts to determine when it would be safe to return to the island to search for the missing.
Aircraft have flown over the island repeatedly, and “no signs of life have been seen at any point,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
Russell Clark, an intensive care paramedic worker, said the scene looked like the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, “just blanketed in ash”.
The eruption sent a plume of steam and ash an estimated 3660 metres into the air. One of the rescue boats that returned from the island was covered with ash half a metre thick, Ardern said.
“It was quite an overwhelming feeling. There was a helicopter on the island that had obviously been there at the time, with its rotor blades off it,” Clark told New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ. “I can only imagine what it was like for the people there at the time – they had nowhere to go.
“We didn’t find any survivors on the island,” Clark said. “It would’ve been quite traumatic for them.”
AP
Olivia Caisley 2.13pm: Flags at half-mast
The flags at Parliament House are flying at half-mast as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in a volcanic eruption at White Island in New Zealand.
It comes as Scott Morrison on Tuesday said three Australians were believed to be among five people killed in the explosion, describing the situation as a “terrible, terrible tragedy.”
Australian National Flags at Parliament House will be flown at half-mast today as a mark of mourning and respect for those who have lost their lives due to the Whakaari/White Island eruption on 9 December 2019.
— Australian Parliament House (@Aust_Parliament) December 10, 2019
Our thoughts are with all those affected at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ctVFJJQMqz
A tweet posted on the Australian Parliament House Twitter account on Tuesday said:
“Australian National Flags at Parliament House will be flown at half-mast today as a mark of mourning and respect for those who have lost their lives due to the Whakaari/White Island eruption on 9 December 2019. Our thoughts are with all those affected at this difficult time.”
1.20pm: Tour company ‘professional’
White Island Tours, one of the companies which took tourists to Whakaari/White Island, is regarded as a professional, careful outfit according to the industry watchdog.
The company was required to undergo adventure activity audits to be registered with Work Safe and auditor Integra/Adventure Mark, told local media the company had sufficient evacuation and risk management plans in place.
Integra managing director Hemi Morete said his company had supplied White Island Tours’ audit to Work Safe, which was conducting an investigation.
“We have audited them since 2017 and have found them very professional. They have only ever had minor non-conformities in their audits,” he said.
“We have provided all relevant documentation to Work Safe and we are ready to answer all questions they might have.”
12.50pm: Australian tourist ‘critical’
Australian tourist Jason Griffiths was injured in the eruption and is in hospital with serious burns. Mr Griffiths, 33, from Coffs Harbour is in a critical condition, his brother-in-law Steve Jarzynski said. “He’s hurt pretty bad,” Mr Jarzynski.
Newlyweds James, 23, and Madeleine Whitehouse, 24, from Brisbane, were initially listed as missing but have been confirmed safe, the Courier Mail reports.
Rachel Baxendale 12.30pm: Fears for Sydney family
Sydney family Anthony Langford, 51, his wife Kristine, their son Jesse, 19 and daughter Winona, 17, from North Willoughby, are believed to have been on the island when the volcano erupted, and have been listed as missing on the Restoring Family Links website.
The Langfords had been travelling on the cruise liner, Ovation of the Seas, and family say they were due to visit White Island.
Mr Langford’s brother, Rodney, told Seven News his family hopes they will be found sheltering on the island. “All we know is that they went on a cruise on White Island, there was an explosion and they’re missing,’’ he said.
Australians could make up three of the five confirmed fatalities from the volcanic eruption on New Zealand's Whakaari/White Island. Five people have died, 31 are hospitalised and eight remain unaccounted for. https://t.co/ji5vf2EBvf @RobertOvadia #WhiteIsland #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/PkZxCkQcKI
— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) December 10, 2019
Click here for the full story.
Rachel Baxendale 11.40am: ‘Missing’ Tamworth couple safe
Tamworth couple Mathew Thomas, 31, and Amy Miall, 30, are safe after being listed as missing following the New Zealand volcano tragedy,
Ms Miall’s father, Tony Miall, posted on Facebook on Tuesday morning: “For anyone who’s worried about Amy as she is on the ship near the volcano disaster in NZ: We have been in touch with the embassy and the cruiseline and she is NOT missing and was not on the island when it erupted.”
“We assume she along with 4000 others on the cruise are trying to contact relatives and our thoughts are with the missing and their families,” Mr Miall said.
10.50am: Red Cross site inundated
The New Zealand Red Cross website set up to help connect people affected by the catastrophic volcanic eruption off the North Island has been inundated by families of the missing.
People from multiple countries, including Australia, have been registering their loved ones as missing on the site Restoring Family Links.
There were more than 100 names listed as of 09.30 AEDT on Tuesday and the majority were still missing.
But the status of more people had changed to “I Am Alive” from “Missing” since 08:00 AEDT.
The multiple nationalities on the list show the scale of the panic the disaster has sparked since the eruption on Monday. The website has crashed multiple times over the morning as people around the world tried to register missing loved ones.
People were seeking information about loved ones from the United Kingdom, United States, China, Singapore, Bourdeaux in France, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Canada, Portugal, Burma, New Delhi, New Guinea, and Holland.
So far, five people have been confirmed dead. It’s believed up to three of those people are Australians, although this has not been confirmed.
Another eight are missing or unaccounted for. Some 34 people, including 13 Australians, were rescued and taken to hospital mostly suffering burns.
Of these, 31 remain in hospital while three have been discharged. Here is the Red Cross list of the Australians listed as missing at 09.30 AEDT. Some may still be in hospital, some may be unaccounted for and some may be safe but not yet able to contact the Red Cross or others to notify their status. Gavin Brian Dallow, 35, Adelaide Lisa, no other details, Adelaide Zoe Hosking, 15, Adelaide Maree Fish, 46, Brisbane Amy Miall, 30, Brisbane Maureen Jones, 68, Bathurst NSW Jason David Griffiths, 33, Coffs Harbour, NSW Karla Michelle Mathews, 32, Coffs Harbour, NSW Richard Aaron Elzer, 32, Coffs Harbour Robert Rogers, 78, Herberton, Queensland Alison Harris, 52, Newcastle, NSW Anthony Lanford, 51, North Sydney Jesse Landford, 18, North Sydney Winona Langford, 17, North Sydney Kristine Langford, age not given, Australia Gary Woolley, age not given, Sydney Jane Murray, 56, Sydney Marion London, 56, Sydney Sheree Toope, 31, Sydney Mathew Thomas, 31, Tamworth NSW Stuart Raymond Trott, 45, Jessica Richards, 20, Australia Julie Richards, 47, Australia Martin Hollander, 48, Australia Susan Maree Cole, no other details,
AAP
Anne Barrowclough 9.30am: Bunker hope for survivors?
A large shipping container on White Island was installed as a bunker to protect survivors in the event of any eruption, NZ media reports. The container, installed by the NZ Defence Force, was to be used as protection against rockfall and other volcanic impacts. However it is unclear whether any of those on the island at the time of the eruption was able to make it to the container. NZ PM Jacinda Ardern confirmed that reconnaissance pilots were “very clear” there were no signs of life on the island.
READ MORE: No signs of life on White Island | Tourists ‘on crater’s edge’ before eruption | Seismic warnings of pending disaster |
Anne Barrowclough 9.00am: What we know so far
Three Australians are believed to be among the five people who have been confirmed dead in the White Island explosion, while another eight people are still missing, feared dead. There were 47 people on the island when the eruption occurred at 2pm AEDT, of whom 24 were Australians.
Scott Morrison says 11 of those 24 Aussies are still unaccounted for, with 13 hospitalised. The first victim has been named as a local tour guide.
Police have confirmed that the ongoing search on the island is now a recovery, not a rescue operation, while NZ PM Jacinda Ardern has said that the pilot who said there were no signs of life on the island had made the assessment after landing, not in an aerial survey as had been believed.
Anne Barrowclough 8.20am: Red Cross names ‘missing’ Aussies
The Red Cross has listed over 20 Australians who are unaccounted for in New Zealand. The organisation’s Family Links website has encouraged anyone concerned about the whereabouts of their loved ones to add them to their list. However it must be stressed Scott Morrison has said there are just 11 Aussies known to have visited the island who were still unaccounted for.
The Australians on the list are:
Anthony Langford, 51, Kristine Langford, and their two children Jesse, 19 and Winona, 17 of North Sydney: Gary Woolley, of Sydney: Gavin Brian Dallow, 53, of Adelaide: James Whitehouse, 23, of Brisbane: Jane Murray, 56, of Sydney: Jason David Griffiths, 33, of Coffs Harbour NSW: Jesse Langford, 19, of North Sydney: Jessica Richards, 20: Julie Richards, 47: Karen Brechin, 62, of Townsville Queensland: Karla Michelle Mathews, 32, of Coffs Harbour NSW: Madeleine Whitehouse, 24, of Brisbane: Maureen Jones, 68, of Bathurst NSW: Mitchell James O’Shea, of Canberra: Richard Aaron Elzer, 32, of Coffs Harbour NSW: Robert Rogers, 78, of Herberton Queensland: Samson Tamaliunas, 12, of Western Australia: Stuart Raymond Trott, 45, of Melbourne: Tarli Sky Tonks, 14, of Tasmania: Ziggy Viero, 7, Australia: Zoe Hosking, 15, of Adelaide.
I have spoken with relatives of the Langford family missing after the #NZVolcano at White Island. They’re hopeful Anthony, Kristine, Jesse & Winona will br found at hospital or sheltering on the island. They’re asking for anyone who recognises them to speak up. @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/zHpbWR2v8P
— Andrew Denney (@Andrew_Denney) December 9, 2019
Olivia Caisley 7.45am: Three Aussies believed among dead
Scott Morrison says three Australians are believed to be among the five people killed in the eruption, declaring the situation a “terrible, terrible tragedy.”
Speaking to reporters in Sydney on Tuesday the Prime Minister said of the 11 Australians still unaccounted for, the government believed three were among the deceased.
“Of the 24 Australians, we’ve been able to ascertain overnight and this morning that 13 of those Australians are hospitalised across multiple hospitals in New Zealand,” Mr Morrison said.
“There are 11 Australians that are still unaccounted for and we fear, of the five deceased persons, that three of those, up to three, are Australians.”
Three Australians are believed to be among those who died in the #WhiteIsland volcano eruption, @ScottMorrisonMP says.
— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) December 9, 2019
There were 24 Australians there: 13 are in hospital and 11 are still missing, he said. pic.twitter.com/VKntiYv9Nc
Mr Morrison said 24 Australians tourists had been enjoying themselves during a “time of great innocence” on a cruise of the picturesque region when the volcano erupted.
“This is a very, very hard day for a lot of Australian families whose loved ones have been caught up in this terrible, terrible tragedy,” he said.
“Yesterday there were 24 Australians enjoying a wonderful cruise in New Zealand, taking in those sights, together, enjoying life. A peaceful time,” he said. “They were aged between 17 and 72 and they took the option of a tour to White Island, which many Australians have done in the past and, indeed, I have on an occasion many years ago.”
He said their “time of great joy” that had been “interrupted by the horror” of the explosion.
“I would ask again that we refrain from any speculation about individuals at this time,” Mr Morrison said. “So we can ensure that we can contact and deal directly with families to ease what will be a highly anxious and highly upsetting time for them.”
WHITE ISLAND: Floral tributes & a NZ flag have been placed near the Ovation of the Sea cruise ship which is docked in Tauranga. A group of tourists from the ship are believed to have been on the volcanic island when yesterday’s eruption occurred @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/ppMPagzNn2
— Ruth Wynn-Williams (@RuthWW) December 9, 2019
Mr Morrison confirmed that the operation has now moved into the recovery phase.
“There were four helicopters that were there part of the recuse operation and assessing the scene that were able to take a reconnaissance of the island at that time, and as New Zealand police said last night, there is not considered to be anyone on that island that remains alive.”
There were 47 people on the island, about 40km off the coast in the Bay of Plenty, when the volcano erupted.
Of those, 24 were Australians, many of whom were on a trip from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
Mr Morrison thanked the New Zealand Government and the country’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
“I want to thank all of those who risked their lives yesterday, put themselves in harm’s way to protect others,” he said. “These horrible incidents are always accompanied by incredibly selfless acts and equally I want to thank all of those in the medical teams who are there caring for Australians right now in New Zealand hospitals.”
“Some of those Australians will be a long way away from loved ones and they will be there on their own, and unaware of what has taken place because of the nature of their injuries.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said: “As the Prime Minister has said, we have at least 13 Australians in hospital and 11 Australians unaccounted for, and we do expect the news on that to be very, very sobering in the coming days.”
Britain’s high commissioner in New Zealand said two of its citizens were being treated.
6.55am: Australians named on Red Cross missing list
A 72-year-old man and a seven year old child are among 20 Australians named as missing on the Red Cross Family Links website. The Red Cross activated the website at the request of the NZ Police.
Newlyweds James, 23 and Madeleine Whitehouse, 24, from Brisbane, were mong those missing. However the website has been crashing intermittently since 6.30am Tuesday morning.
The 13 international tourists dead or missing after the Whakaari/White Island explosion include tourists from Australia, the US, UK, China and Malaysia and NZ staff from local tour operators, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed early Tuesday.
Ms Ardern, speaking from the nearby town of Whakatane, has been in regular contact overnight with Scott Morrison.
“To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your unfathomable grief at this moment in time and in your sorrow,” Ms Ardern said. “Our duty is to return loved ones and … there is much work to be done.”
There were 24 Australians visiting from the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, the Australian government said on Monday night.
AAP
6.10am: Seven-year-old missing
A seven year old child is among the missing, according to local media. Stuff.co.nz reports that the child is listed as missing on the Family Links website
6.05am: ‘No signs of life’ pilot able to land
The pilot who assessed there was no sign of life on White Island was able to land on the island, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed.
Earlier it had been reported that the pilot had made his report after a 45 minute aerial assessment. However Ms Ardern told reporters on Tuesday morning the pilot “physically moved around the island rather than just an aerial survey and did so for some time, and brought back that report that unfortunately there was no sign of life.”
Ms Ardern also confirmed that police and rescue services were now engaged in a recovery, not a rescue operation.
Anne Barrowclough 6.00am: First victim named
A young tour guide who regularly took tourists to White Island has been named by local media as one of the first victims of the New Zealand volcano eruption.
The former mayor of Bay of Plenty town Whakatane confirmed the death of Hayden Marshall-Inman, a guide for White Island Tours, to the news website Stuff.co.nz.
“The young man that lost his life, I know him personally,” Tony Bonne said. “It’s very sad that he’s lost his life.
“I know the family, It’s been confirmed.”
Hayden Marshall-Inman’s brother Mark paid tribute to the young man on Facebook. “My bro Hayden Marshall-Inman has past (sic) away doing the one thing he loved,” Mr Inman wrote.
Friend and clients paid tribute to Mr Marshall-Inman on Facebook. Liz Evans wrote: “I remember him from my tour not so long ago. Straight talker with safety as a priority.
Kind, a good laugh. I looked for him in pics and hoped he would be OK so I’m gutted for you all and I’m shocked. Can’t believe it. He was larger than life”.
Paul Quinn, the chairman of White Island Tours, told TVNZ two members of his staff were missing. The business takes over 10,000 tourists a year to the island.
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