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Police confirm 15th death following New Zealand volcano eruption

Police in New Zealand have confirmed that a 15th person has died following this week’s volcanic...
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

10.55 14 Dec 2019


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Police confirm 15th death foll...

Police confirm 15th death following New Zealand volcano eruption

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

10.55 14 Dec 2019


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Police in New Zealand have confirmed that a 15th person has died following this week’s volcanic eruption on an island in the country’s north east.

Divers spent the day searching the waters around Whakaari or White Island for the remains of the last two victims.

Police said the divers are working in contaminated waters with near-zero visibility – describing the conditions as "unique and challenging."

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A recovery team has already recovered six bodies since returning to the island at first light on Friday morning.

They are wearing protective suits and using breathing apparatus as gases on the island remain highly toxic.

New Zealand Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement said two people remain missing, presumed dead.

“We are very confident that one of them is in the sea – because [the body] was seen in the sea,” he said.

“What has happened to the other one? We have some work to do to try and backtrack and make a determination around that.”

The official death toll now stands at 15, after police confirmed that 21-year-old Australian Krystal Eve Browitt had died in hospital in Waikato.

Dozens of other people are being treated in hospital for severe burns.

The recovery operation is currently suspended due to worsening weather conditions. Scientists are also warning that there is a 35% to 50% risk of a further explosion in the coming 24 hours.

Authorities have said there were 47 people from seven countries visiting the island when the volcano erupted.

The final death toll is expected to reach at least 17.


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