An Australian died in hospital today, bringing the death toll so far to 16 from the New Zealand volcano tragedy.
Five patients remain in a critical condition in Sydney and three more in Melbourne.
Six bodies were snatched by a special forces helicopter from White Island on Friday, scene of the flash eruption that took the lives of tourists and guides and left almost 40 in hospital.
Another two bodies remain on the island, and a recovery operation Sunday failed to bring them home.
A minute’s silence in memory of victims of the disaster will take place on Monday at 2.11pm local time (12.11pm AEDT), which marks exactly one week since the eruption.
“Wherever you are in New Zealand, or around the world, this is a moment we can stand alongside those who have lost loved ones in this extraordinary tragedy,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
A total of 24 Australians, many from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, were on the island at the time of the eruption.
Under tremendous pressure from local families and despite the risk of another eruption, New Zealand emergency workers attempted the dangerous retrieval early on Friday.
Drones and heat seeking detection units were used, and the bodies were flown to military frigate HMNZS Wellington anchored off the coast.
The monitoring agency GNS Science warned there was a 50 to 60 per cent chance of a further eruption, and an update issued during the mission said the “level of volcanic tremor has dropped but remains very high compared to pre-eruption levels”.
Family representatives and Maori community members held a moving service close to the island after travelling from Bay of Plenty.
Defence Secretary Marise Payne said the six bodies recovered were still being formally identified but the expectation was that all six were Australian. “I think it is difficult to say in advance of the formal process but we know, and we have been advised by authorities, that that is expected to be the case, yes,” she said.
Sydney North Shore residents Martin Hollander, 48, and his wife Barbara, 50, are among the dead. Tragically, two teenage sons, Ben and Matthew Hollander, students at Sydney high school Knox Grammar, died in hospital earlier this week.
In a statement reported on news.com.au, Barbara’s parents Larry and Norma Noesen said: “We are together with our family grieving the loss of our loved ones. Our amazing daughter Barbara Hollander and our son-in-law Martin Hollander were a wonderful couple and parents to our grandsons, Ben (16) and Matthew (13),” the couple said.
“We appreciate all the support and contact from our friends and family. During this trying time we ask for privacy as we process all the tragic events that have occurred. A memorial service will be planned for the summer/fall of 2020.”
As the days activities continued, investigators were interviewing personnel in a bid to find out whether tourists should have been allowed onto the island, and what lessons can be learned from the tragedy.
Ovation of the Seas is due back in Sydney on Monday. Royal Caribbean issued a statement earlier in the week saying:
“The news from White Island is devastating. The details that are emerging are heartbreaking. We are working to help our guests and the authorities in the aftermath of this tragedy in any way we can.
“We are communicating with our guests and their families. We’re making sure they are taken care of in terms of medical help, counselling, accommodations, and transport. Our hearts go out to them, and we want to be as supportive as we can.
“Staff from our Sydney and Auckland offices office are already on-site, and we’re going to be offering all our resources while this terrible tragedy sorts out.
“We are grateful for the work of all the first responders and medical personnel. We also thank the prime minister and her team, the local authorities and everyone who has reached out to help with their kind thoughts and prayers.”
Family members concerned about the status of relatives traveling aboard Ovation of the Seas may inquire by calling the following numbers:
Australia – 1300-026-240
New Zealand – 0800-002141
USA – 800 829 4050
Germany 0800-180-0885
UK 0-800-014-8339
Mexico 01-800-681-5336
China 400-120-3534
Japan 0800-170-6282
Singapore 65-31582855
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Natalie, Yes, it is a very sad occasion, but I am afraid life goes on. The ship’s company made the correct decision, we mere humans cannot think of more than one thing at a time, so, a lighter atmosphere I think was the way to go.
Over 25 cruises under my belt and I do not think the cruise company is at fault … by what I am getting at the moment, warnings were put out by the NZ Geological people and the alert level was raised to Level 2. I believe that Level 3 is the highest. If it was a Level 2, why were the tours operating … was it a case ‘a self regulating industry’ … if that is the case, it doesnt work. If there were actual legislated regulations, were they being obeyed or being enforced. I just hope all those souls can rest in peace and those who are injured can survive comfortably.
Seeing the video recording in this article, I’m amazed any souls survived. ☹️
I understand your disappointment towards Royal Caribbean re the apparent lack of satisfactory respect towards those directly involved in this disaster, including the guests on board. We were on board Celebrity Solstice in Tauranga New Zealand November 2016, there was an unfortunate vehicle accident that fatally injured a guest on an excursion. The Captain arranged a memorial service in the main theatre for guests to attend. As for the on board environment our cruise continued to itinerary and whilst there was good times on board the general atmosphere on the ship was somber.
Do not blame Royal Caribbean for having an unsafe excursion, I believe it is the responsibility of those monitoring the seismic activity on the Island to ensure the island is safe to visit, this White Island excursion was one of the highlights of my travels, I did it whilst in Tauranga on the obovementioned cruise. As sad as it is there is always a chance of something going wrong on excursions or any other activity in life. We were cruising Alaska 2018, the White Pass rail excursion was cancelled due to a rock fall on the line, this could have happened as the train was passing with disastrous consequences.
Enjoy your travels
I am not sure why Natalie thinks that 3000 plus other passengers should not have the rest of their cruise as close as Royal Caribbean could make it after a sad event. As a multiple cruiser I think that the company did the best it could considering all the competing priorities. It is always easy to criticize the operators of ships and tour companies but they only operate to fulfill the dreams and desires of the public. If you choose to visit a volcano or other dangerous locations then you must accept personal responsibility for what may ( or may not ) occur. I believe that the dangers are explained before this tour begins and we also need to apply some common sense when making tour decisions. My thoughts are with the families of those lost but we should remember that they passed exploring nature in all its power and beauty.
I don’t think so ,sure was a big tragedy and i am very sorry for the losses and God bless their souls and their families ,none has forced you to continue yourChristmas holidays or cheers ,unfortunate the show must go on you are not the only one in the ship there are 3500 pax ??? so we can please everyone ,and furthermore they are insured for disasters like ,it not money grabbing ,again i am deeply sorry for what happened i think and believe that Royal Caribbean they doing everything they can in they power to help the family’s of the lost pax .Kind Regards
Louie.
You cannot blame Royal Carribean for this incident even though the island was available to day trippers. They were all very aware of the dangers involved in travelling to an active volcano site. Refusal to go would have been the smart decision. Sorry for the loss of life but stop looking for some one to blame.
Natalie, sorry to hear that you feel that way…this was a terrible accident and no one is to blame least of all Royal Caribbean…if you feel you must blame someone then level your anger at “Mother Nature”
My family and I are currently passengers on Ovation of the Seas and I must say I am very disappointed with the response from Royal Caribbean to this disaster. Following a few announcements from the captain and a moments silence (during which Xmas music was played) it was business as usual on the ship. In the face of a tragedy involving 38 passengers this ship should have returned to Sydney and respected the lives of those who did not return. Instead we were forced to continue on in the midst of a festive party atmosphere. A new itinerary was put together and a one day credit given to passengers whose holiday was ruined by a company that profited from the unsafe shore excursion then refused to take responsibility.