NZ volcano: 24 Australians caught up in White Island volcano tragedy

Ten Australians are missing and presumed dead after the horrific volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s White Island, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed.

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Ten Australians are missing and presumed dead after the horrific volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s north island east coast, Scott Morrison has confirmed.

Speaking to the media in Melbourne on Thursday, the Prime Minister said 24 Australians and four permanent residents had been caught up in the volcanic eruption.

He added five Australians were evacuated to hospitals on home soil overnight and another seven will be transferred across the Tasman over the next 24 hours.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison talking to media in Melbourne. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty

“It’s obviously added to by the uncertainty and the frustration in being able to gain access, obviously, to the volcano and the Prime Minister has confirmed to me again that it is still a very dangerous place,” Mr Morrison said.

“There are two who have passed away in hospital and a further one permanent resident who is missing and presumed deceased.

“In the days ahead, there will be worse news, based on what I’ve just relayed to you.”

The RAAF have transported victims of the New Zealand Volcano eruption on White Island to Australia for medical attention. Picture: Bill Hearne

The two who have died in hospital – confirmed by New Zealand police today – are Berend Hollander, 16, and his brother Matthew Hollander, 13.

The pair, who were killed while visiting the island on Monday, attended Knox Grammar School in Wahroonga, on Sydney’s north shore, where their father also went to school.

Year 10 student Berend Hollander and his brother Year 8 student Matthew Hollander have been confirmed dead. Picture: AAP

New Zealand police confirmed the brothers died while being treated in hospital, with one at Middlemore Hospital and the other at Waikato Hospital.

Their parents, which police are yet to release any information on, are still unnaccounted for.

Berend and Matthew Hollander’s parents Martin and Barbara Hollander. Picture: Knox Grammar School

The duo were two of initial 31 hospitalised, with 27 of them suffering burns greater to 71 per cent of their bodies.

This comes after New Zealand police released a list of seven Australians who are missing and presumed dead, as a result of not being admitted to hospital or discharged.

The confusing lists of dead, injured and missing highlights the complexity of the investigation and total confusion from the multi agencies involved.

The very sad letter sent out to the school community of Warrawee's Knox Grammar School by Headmaster Scott James confirming that two students from the school, Matthew Hollander and Berend Hollander have died from injuries received in New Zealand's White Island volcanic eruption. Picture: Knox Grammar School

The list includes Gavin Dallow and his step daughter Zoe Hosking, 15; Jessica Richards, 20, and her mum Julie, 47; Karla Mathews and her partner Richard Elzer, and Krystal Browitt.

Family and friends have since come forward confirming the deaths of Jessica and Julie Richards, Gavin Dallow, Karla Mathews, Richard Elzer and Jason Griffiths.

Officials told family that Zoe Hosking is missing but presumed dead.

Other Australians who have not been accounted for, which police are yet to release any information on, include Langford couple Anthony and Kristine, and their daughter Winona, 17.

The couple’s son, Jesse, 19, was found alive on Wednesday.

His former school, Marist College North Shore, sent an email to parents this week confirming the family was missing.

Anthony and Kristine Langford, with their children Jesse and Winona. Picture: Instagram

“Jesse, who graduated last year was a talented and popular student during his time at the school, finishing up as MacKillop House captain,” school principal Tony Duncan said.

“Jesse has been a student at Marist since Year 7 with his family remembered fondly around the College. Please have the Langford family in your prayers.”

Since the White Island explosion on Monday, families of several of the cruise passengers, who have also not been accounted for, have come forward – stating they have not heard from their loved ones and fear them dead.

‘WE MOURN THE LOSS OF GAVIN AND ZOE’

The Dallow family said in an emailed statement: “Our hearts break at the loss of Zoe at such a young age. We mourn the loss of Gavin and Zoe.”

Mr Dallow’s wife and Zoe’s mother, Lisa, is currently in hospital at Hamilton with serious burns.

Gavin Dallow and Lisa Dallow – accompanied by Zoe Hosking – on their wedding day. Picture: Supplied by family

Brian Dallow said his son Gavin would not have gone to the island if he thought there was a danger.

“So I’m pretty sure they weren’t fully informed of the dangers, otherwise he wouldn’t have gone,” he said.

Adelaide man Gavin Dallow is missing and presumed dead.

Zoe Hosking, of South Australia, is missing and presumed dead.

‘YOU LIVE IN HOPE’

Brisbane woman Julie Richards, 47, and her daughter Jessica, 20, had been confirmed dead after the eruption, family friend John Mickel told reporters.

The pair, from Calamvale, had been enjoying a holiday together on board the Ovation of the Sea cruise where a number of other Australians were vacationing, Julie’s sister Barbara Whitehead confirmed.

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Julie is listed as a director and part-owner of electronic design and manufacture company Vtron Pty Ltd, which is based on the Gold Coast.

“If there was an adventure that offered itself, then they would be the ones to do it,” Mr Mickel said, adding Jess was a promising AFL player who loved animals and was studying veterinary science at the University of Queensland.

Julie Richards, 47, and her daughter, Jessica Richards, 20. Picture: Facebook/AAP

“You live in hope it’s not going to be your loved one’s name that comes up.

“But the hope was snuffed out this morning with the message from the New Zealand police.

“Today is the roughest day, and there’s going to be a couple of rough days ahead.”

‘WE ARE INCREDIBLY SADDENED’

On Wednesday friends of victims Karla Mathews, Richard Elzer and Jason Griffiths issued a statement confirming they had been advised of the trio’s deaths.

“We were devastated by the news that three of our friends were visiting White Island on a shore excursion during the time of the eruption,” it read.

The friends of Aus White Island victims Jason Griffiths, Karla Mathews and Richard Elzer (pictured) have released a statement. They set out looking forward to a “wonderful holiday” before tragedy struck. pic.twitter.com/83EvjVr39S

— Tamsin Rose (@tamsinroses) December 11, 2019

“We discovered two of our friends, Richard Elzer and Kara Mathews, were still on the island. We have been advised there are no signs of life on the island.

“We then located our third friend, Jason Griffiths, in hospital in the early hours of the next morning. From that moment until the moment of his passing, Jason was surrounded by friends and family members.”

Karla Mathews and Richard Elzer were visiting Whakaari/White Island when it erupted. The couple have died in the event. Picture: Supplied

On Tuesday the New Zealand Government said there were eight missing presumed dead on White Island, whose suspected graves have been tentatively marked but their bodies currently remain unrecoverable.

List of other nationalities on the island include from Mexico, Malaysia and China, and just where all these people are remains unclear.

Rescuers arrive on White Island after the volcano erupted. Picture: Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Originally published as NZ volcano: 24 Australians caught up in White Island volcano tragedy