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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/15/new-zealand-volcano-disaster-recovery-team-unable-to-find-last-two-bodies-on-white-island
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New Zealand volcano disaster: Australian victim transferred to Sydney hospital dies | New Zealand volcano disaster: Australian victim transferred to Sydney hospital dies |
(32 minutes later) | |
Death toll rises to 16 as bid to retrieve the remains of those still missing on White Island is unsuccessful | |
An Australian victim caught in New Zealand’s deadly White Island volcano eruption has died in hospital in Sydney, bringing the death toll from the tragedy to 16. | |
The man died in Concord hospital almost a week after the deadly blast. It was the first death to occur in Australia following the eruption. | The man died in Concord hospital almost a week after the deadly blast. It was the first death to occur in Australia following the eruption. |
“Officers from Burwood police area command attended Concord hospital following the death of a man after being medically transferred from New Zealand,” NSW Health said in a statement. “NSW Health wishes to pass on our condolences to the family.” | “Officers from Burwood police area command attended Concord hospital following the death of a man after being medically transferred from New Zealand,” NSW Health said in a statement. “NSW Health wishes to pass on our condolences to the family.” |
The man’s family requested that his name and age was not released. | The man’s family requested that his name and age was not released. |
The condition of another Australian victim caught in the eruption stabilised in Concord hospital overnight. | The condition of another Australian victim caught in the eruption stabilised in Concord hospital overnight. |
An earlier NSW Health update on Sunday morning listed five New South Wales residents in Concord hospital and Royal North Shore hospital as in a critically ill condition. | |
Three patients evacuated from New Zealand to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne remain in a critical condition. | |
There were now three NSW victims in stable conditions at Australian hospitals. | There were now three NSW victims in stable conditions at Australian hospitals. |
Some 47 people, including 24 Australian citizens and four permanent residents, were on the island when the volcano erupted on Monday. | Some 47 people, including 24 Australian citizens and four permanent residents, were on the island when the volcano erupted on Monday. |
Ten Australians are now confirmed dead, two are presumed to have died and 12 are still being treated in hospital after being repatriated with severe burns. | Ten Australians are now confirmed dead, two are presumed to have died and 12 are still being treated in hospital after being repatriated with severe burns. |
A recovery team returned to New Zealand’s White Island on Sunday morning but was unable to retrieve the remains of two people still missing after the eruption. | A recovery team returned to New Zealand’s White Island on Sunday morning but was unable to retrieve the remains of two people still missing after the eruption. |
Defence force operatives returned to Whakaari, two days after their successful high-stakes trip to the active volcano brought back six bodies. | Defence force operatives returned to Whakaari, two days after their successful high-stakes trip to the active volcano brought back six bodies. |
Police understand eight people were killed on the island, and spent Saturday debriefing the operation and searching nearby waters for the last two bodies. | Police understand eight people were killed on the island, and spent Saturday debriefing the operation and searching nearby waters for the last two bodies. |
Mission command firmly believe a seventh body is in the water, and are increasingly convinced the eighth could be too. | Mission command firmly believe a seventh body is in the water, and are increasingly convinced the eighth could be too. |
However, both Saturday’s water-based search and Sunday’s landing failed to turn up the remains. | However, both Saturday’s water-based search and Sunday’s landing failed to turn up the remains. |
“It’s been a blow for police,” New Zealand police deputy commissioner Mike Clement said. | “It’s been a blow for police,” New Zealand police deputy commissioner Mike Clement said. |
“Everyone went out there desperate to find the bodies ... it’s been tough going for everybody. | “Everyone went out there desperate to find the bodies ... it’s been tough going for everybody. |
“We understand completely how frustrating it is for loved ones who want the bodies back.” | “We understand completely how frustrating it is for loved ones who want the bodies back.” |
As of Sunday afternoon, divers were back in the water around the Bay of Plenty island, hoping they could reach a breakthrough. | |
The situation on the volcano, New Zealand’s most active, remained volatile and dangerous. | |
The latest update from geological monitoring agency GeoNet left the alert level at two and suggested there was a 30-45% chance of an eruption in the next day. | The latest update from geological monitoring agency GeoNet left the alert level at two and suggested there was a 30-45% chance of an eruption in the next day. |
National operations commander and New Zealand police deputy commissioner John Tims said Sunday morning’s visit was quicker than Friday’s four-hour salvage effort. | National operations commander and New Zealand police deputy commissioner John Tims said Sunday morning’s visit was quicker than Friday’s four-hour salvage effort. |
“This morning at 8am, three helicopters – two commercial helicopters and the police Eagle helicopter – left for Whakaari/White Island with eight police staff on board,” he said. | |
“Those staff covered a search area where our best information suggested a body could still remain. Unfortunately, we did not locate a body this morning.” | “Those staff covered a search area where our best information suggested a body could still remain. Unfortunately, we did not locate a body this morning.” |
Despite returning back to the mainland empty-handed, police underlined their commitment to the job. | Despite returning back to the mainland empty-handed, police underlined their commitment to the job. |
“We have always anticipated recovering all bodies from the island, and we remain deeply committed to that goal, to allow families some closure,” Tims said. | “We have always anticipated recovering all bodies from the island, and we remain deeply committed to that goal, to allow families some closure,” Tims said. |