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New Zealand volcano eruption: police to launch criminal investigation over White Island deaths – latest updates New Zealand volcano eruption: police to launch criminal investigation over White Island deaths – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
PM confirms five dead after White Island eruption, as health authorities say some of the injured will not survive severe burns. Follow rolling updatesPM confirms five dead after White Island eruption, as health authorities say some of the injured will not survive severe burns. Follow rolling updates
John Tims of NZ police was asked about whether the investigation would focus on the tour operators to the island.: I’m just catching up with a few other points from that news conference. John Tims from NZ police said that authorities had been working today to determine the conditions on the island.
“This will be done by a drone able to carry 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,” Tims said.
With regards to the foreign nationals affected by the volcanic eruption in New Zealand, a team of three officials from the NZ department of foreign affairs and trade has been deployed to Whakatane to support diplomatic missions of affected foreign nationals.
In terms of the condition on the island currently, civil defence spokesperson, Sarah Stuart-Black, said:
“Monitoring equipment on the island is still functional and providing near real-time data. GNS science will continue to closely monitor the situation on White Island. The web cameras indicate gas and steam jetting from the active vent area,” she said.
Health authorities in New Zealand have contacted burns units in Australia to ask what capacity they have to take on patients, Guardian Australia understands. Protocol for treating disaster victims is for them to be treated at the hospital closest to their home, in anticipation of a long recovery period.
That press conference has just wrapped up. Here’s a summary of the most important points:
New Zealand police have launched a criminal investigation into the disaster on White Island.
Five people are confirmed dead and their bodies have been transferred to Auckland for a post mortem to be carried out.
31 patients are being treated for burns, including 27 who have burns to at least 30% of their bodies.
Patients have been transferred to burns units across New Zealand and some may be transferred to Australia.
There has been a decline in seismic activity on the island but scientists estimate there’s a 50% chance of a smaller or similar sized eruption over the next 24hours, which means a 50% chance of no eruption. It’s estimated that a large eruption is unlikely at this time.
John Tims of NZ police was asked about whether the investigation would focus on the tour operators to the island:
“So we’ll look into if there was anyone criminally responsible for the deaths and injuries. It’s early days yet. So we’re just going to have to work through the evidence, talk to people, and conduct the investigation,” Tims said.“So we’ll look into if there was anyone criminally responsible for the deaths and injuries. It’s early days yet. So we’re just going to have to work through the evidence, talk to people, and conduct the investigation,” Tims said.
“Not all of the (burns) patients will survive,” Watson said.“Not all of the (burns) patients will survive,” Watson said.
“There’s many who have suffered inhalation injuries, damage to lungs, so they’re requiring airway support. At this stage, that’s the majority of the people who are in the hospitals,” Watson said.“There’s many who have suffered inhalation injuries, damage to lungs, so they’re requiring airway support. At this stage, that’s the majority of the people who are in the hospitals,” Watson said.
Of the 31 people injured, 25 are now in our four regional burns units located in Christchurch, Hutt valley, Waikato and Middlemore hospital, Watson said.Of the 31 people injured, 25 are now in our four regional burns units located in Christchurch, Hutt valley, Waikato and Middlemore hospital, Watson said.
“They will be transferred to one of our regional burns units as soon as there’s capacity. All our burns units are full to capacity. Our plastic surgeons, hospitals, anaesthetists are doing their best to treat the many who have sustained injuries.”“They will be transferred to one of our regional burns units as soon as there’s capacity. All our burns units are full to capacity. Our plastic surgeons, hospitals, anaesthetists are doing their best to treat the many who have sustained injuries.”
Dr Pete Watson also told the press conference that 27 of the 31 people being treated have suffered greater than 30% body-surface burns.Dr Pete Watson also told the press conference that 27 of the 31 people being treated have suffered greater than 30% body-surface burns.
New Zealand police also say they are launching a criminal investigation into the disaster. John Tims says the police will open a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the deaths on White island.
The nationalities of those on the island at the time of the explosion have been confirmed as 2 from UK, 4 from Germany, 24 from Australia, 5 from NZ, 2 from China, 9 from the US, one from Malaysia.The nationalities of those on the island at the time of the explosion have been confirmed as 2 from UK, 4 from Germany, 24 from Australia, 5 from NZ, 2 from China, 9 from the US, one from Malaysia.
Dr Pete Watson from the ministry of health is now updating the conference.Dr Pete Watson from the ministry of health is now updating the conference.
He said patients have been transferred to burns units across New Zealand.He said patients have been transferred to burns units across New Zealand.
Many have sustained substantial burns, including inhalation burns.Many have sustained substantial burns, including inhalation burns.
Patients are aged between 13-72.Patients are aged between 13-72.
He says they may transfer seriously injured patients to burns units in Australia.He says they may transfer seriously injured patients to burns units in Australia.
We are now hearing from John Tims, Commissioner of police in New Zealand. We are now hearing from John Tims, deputy commissioner of national operations for police in New Zealand.
He has confirmed 5 fatalities. The bodies have been transported to Auckland where a post-mortem will be done.He has confirmed 5 fatalities. The bodies have been transported to Auckland where a post-mortem will be done.
New Zealand police’s press conference has begin. The first speaker is Sarah Stuart-Black, a Civil Defence spokespersonNew Zealand police’s press conference has begin. The first speaker is Sarah Stuart-Black, a Civil Defence spokesperson
“We were struck by the amazing efforts from first responders,” she tells the press conference”. “I would like to express our deepest sympathies for the families affected”“We were struck by the amazing efforts from first responders,” she tells the press conference”. “I would like to express our deepest sympathies for the families affected”
She said the ministry of foreign affairs and trade is providing consular assistance to foreign nationals affected by the eruption. She said monitoring equipment was still functioning on he island and was providing real-time data. There has been a decline in seismic activity.She said the ministry of foreign affairs and trade is providing consular assistance to foreign nationals affected by the eruption. She said monitoring equipment was still functioning on he island and was providing real-time data. There has been a decline in seismic activity.
She said there is a 50% chance chance of another similar eruption in the next 24 hours. If there is another eruption, it is unlikely to reach the mainland.She said there is a 50% chance chance of another similar eruption in the next 24 hours. If there is another eruption, it is unlikely to reach the mainland.
Following Monday’s eruption, GeoNet has put together some detailed information about White Island. This includes:Following Monday’s eruption, GeoNet has put together some detailed information about White Island. This includes:
It was in almost continuous eruption from 1976-2000 and numerous explosive eruptions impacted the entire Main Crater floor area. A second eruptive episode started in 2011 and continues today.It was in almost continuous eruption from 1976-2000 and numerous explosive eruptions impacted the entire Main Crater floor area. A second eruptive episode started in 2011 and continues today.
In 1914 a landslide destroyed a mining village and killed 10 workers on the Main Crater floor. There was no eruption related to this landslide.In 1914 a landslide destroyed a mining village and killed 10 workers on the Main Crater floor. There was no eruption related to this landslide.
You can read their entire post here.You can read their entire post here.
Earlier police said work was being done to enable the recovery of the eight people who remained unaccounted for following yesterday’s eruption.Earlier police said work was being done to enable the recovery of the eight people who remained unaccounted for following yesterday’s eruption.
“Recovering the remaining victims and returning them to their loved ones is an absolute priority for NZ Police,” police said in a statement on Facebook.“Recovering the remaining victims and returning them to their loved ones is an absolute priority for NZ Police,” police said in a statement on Facebook.
The first press conference we are expecting is from New Zealand police who will be giving an update on the emergency response to the volcanic eruption at Whakaari/White Island. It’s expected to get underway in the next few minutes.The first press conference we are expecting is from New Zealand police who will be giving an update on the emergency response to the volcanic eruption at Whakaari/White Island. It’s expected to get underway in the next few minutes.
We are expecting several press conferences in the next hour, including from police in Wellington, the mayor of Whakatane, and from GNS Science, New Zealand’s leading provider of Earth, geoscience and isotope research and consultancy services.We are expecting several press conferences in the next hour, including from police in Wellington, the mayor of Whakatane, and from GNS Science, New Zealand’s leading provider of Earth, geoscience and isotope research and consultancy services.