New Zealand to retrieve remaining bodies despite risk of eruptions as death toll rises

‘The chances of success will be determined by things beyond our control,’ say police

Officials in New Zealand will on Friday recover the bodies of eight victims of the volcano eruption on White Island, despite continued volcanic activity.

Police told reporters on Thursday the site is expected to be stable enough to allow the operation to proceed “at first light”.

However, GeoNet – which monitors seismic activity in New Zealand – said volcanic tremors remain high and there is a “50-60 per cent likelihood of future eruptive activity in the next 24 hours”.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern said: “Everyone is desperate to get those victims back and so I know it will be a matter that the police are utterly focused on.”

Two more people died on Wednesday night while being treated for severe burns in hospital, pushing the death toll up to eight, not including those who remain on the island.

A total of 47 people were on White Island when the eruption occurred, including 24 Australians, five New Zealanders, four Germans, two British, two Chinese and one Malaysian.

Thirty people were hospitalised for severe burns caused by burning debris and toxic gas released by the eruption.

Volcanologists speculate many may have also been hit by fierce jets of scalding steam bursting laterally from the volcano.

Doctors have ordered 1.2 million sq cm of skin from the US to help treat patients, who are currently at high risk of infection with some suffering burns of up to 95 per cent of their bodies.

The two people who died on Wednesday night have been confirmed as brothers Berend and Matthew Hollander, aged 16 and 13.

Their parents are among those still missing on the island.

Deputy commissioner Mike Clement told local media they have located six bodies and are still searching for two more.

He said of Friday’s recovery operation: “We will make every effort to recover the bodies ... from there, we’ll move the bodies back to the mainland. I have to reiterate the risk has not gone, the risk remains present.

“[Rescuers] are putting themselves in harm’s way ... the chances of success will be determined by things beyond our control.”