New Zealand eruption: No survivors on White Island after volcano suddenly erupts, say police

[babylonsister]

New Zealand eruption: No survivors on White Island after volcano suddenly erupts, say police
'No signs of life have been seen at any point,' say officials
Jon Sharman
1 hour ago


There are no more survivors of the volcanic eruption on New Zealand‘s White Island, police believe.

Earlier, officials had said the blast had left five people dead, but that number will now rise to include those people who were still on the island when it erupted.

“No signs of life have been seen at any point,” police said.

Top officers had previously said it was too dangerous for emergency workers to search the unstable island for survivors.

About 50 people, New Zealanders as well as foreign tourists, were feared to have been nearby and several were seen near the rim of the crater minutes before the eruption.

Many day tours visit the island regularly, and one from the Ovation of the Seas cruise liner was there at the time. Australian tourists were reportedly caught up in the blast.

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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/new-zealand-volcano-eruption-white-island-news-dead-whakaari-latest-a9238836.html

[MineralMan]

1. Wrong place at the wrong time, it seems.

Tons of people have been on that island to look at an active volcano. I understand the desire to do so. However, active volcanoes are dangerous places to visit. That's part of the attraction, I suppose.

For this particular group, the volcano happened to erupt as they were visiting. While the odds are against such a thing happening for any particular group of tourists, they are much greater than if you didn't go there and visit that island up close.

It is a tragedy for those who are victims of this natural occurrence, and for their families. It is not, however, an unpredictable event. Active volcanoes erupt sometimes. They do.

It was a tragedy that could easily have been avoided. More's the pity.