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New Zealand volcano: Minute's silence marks one week after eruption New Zealand volcano: Minute's silence marks one week after eruption
(about 1 hour later)
A minute's silence has been observed in New Zealand, marking one week since the deadly eruption of White Island volcano.A minute's silence has been observed in New Zealand, marking one week since the deadly eruption of White Island volcano.
The tribute was held at 14:11 local time (01:11 GMT), the exact moment of the eruption.The tribute was held at 14:11 local time (01:11 GMT), the exact moment of the eruption.
Sixteen deaths have been confirmed while two bodies are still missing, believed to be in the water off the island.Sixteen deaths have been confirmed while two bodies are still missing, believed to be in the water off the island.
About 20 people remain in intensive care with severe burns.About 20 people remain in intensive care with severe burns.
Relatives of some of the victims observed the silence on a police boat near the island, local media reported.Relatives of some of the victims observed the silence on a police boat near the island, local media reported.
On social media, some New Zealanders said drivers pulled their cars over to pay their respects.On social media, some New Zealanders said drivers pulled their cars over to pay their respects.
On Sunday, teams returned to White Island - also known by its Maori name of Whakaari - and divers searched the water but, again, were unable to locate the missing bodies.On Sunday, teams returned to White Island - also known by its Maori name of Whakaari - and divers searched the water but, again, were unable to locate the missing bodies.
"This is a difficult and ongoing task," Deputy Commissioner John Tims said in a statement, adding that police remained committed to retrieving the bodies."This is a difficult and ongoing task," Deputy Commissioner John Tims said in a statement, adding that police remained committed to retrieving the bodies.
On Instagram, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to "many people who did extraordinary things to save lives", saying: "Those who have been lost are now forever linked to New Zealand, and we will hold them close."On Instagram, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to "many people who did extraordinary things to save lives", saying: "Those who have been lost are now forever linked to New Zealand, and we will hold them close."
Ms Ardern, who visited some of the first responders last week, marked the minute's silence during her cabinet's weekly meeting. Ms Ardern marked the minute's silence during her cabinet's weekly meeting.
The government has also approved a NZD $5m ($3.2m; £2.4m) fund to help small businesses in Whakatane - the tourist town "gateway" to White Island - according to the New Zealand Herald. Meanwhile, the government has approved a NZD $5m ($3.2m; £2.4m) fund to help small businesses in Whakatane - the tourist town "gateway" to White Island.
Ms Ardern said the government was waiting on advice about whether further inquiries into the disaster were needed. Ms Ardern said WorkSafe, New Zealand's regulator for workplace safety, had already opened an investigation into the disaster, while the coroner is conducting a separate inquiry.
"There remain questions to be asked and answered," she said, adding that a decision would be made next year. The prime minister added that the government was waiting on advice about whether further inquiries were needed.
"There remain questions to be asked and answered," she said.
What about the identification of the victims?What about the identification of the victims?
The identification process is being carried out in Auckland by experts including a pathologist, a forensic dentist and a fingerprint officer.The identification process is being carried out in Auckland by experts including a pathologist, a forensic dentist and a fingerprint officer.
The first victim officially named was Krystal Eve Browitt, a 21-year-old Australian from Melbourne who was visiting the island with her family.The first victim officially named was Krystal Eve Browitt, a 21-year-old Australian from Melbourne who was visiting the island with her family.
Other victims named by police so far are:Other victims named by police so far are:
Police are gathering information about possible victims, such as descriptions of appearance, clothing, photos, fingerprints, medical and dental records and DNA samples.Police are gathering information about possible victims, such as descriptions of appearance, clothing, photos, fingerprints, medical and dental records and DNA samples.
These details will then be matched to the evidence gathered in the post-mortem examination.These details will then be matched to the evidence gathered in the post-mortem examination.
Out of the 47 people on the island when the eruption happened, 24 were from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China, two from the UK, and one from Malaysia.Out of the 47 people on the island when the eruption happened, 24 were from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China, two from the UK, and one from Malaysia.