White Island Volcano

[Sweaty]

Very sad indeed.

[VladTepes]

Bloody oath those helo pilots are brave, volcanic ash is NOT conducive to powered flight...

Yep apparently there was one group who had not long left the crater and another inside.

Five people are confirmed dead after a volcano erupted twice on New Zealand's White Island, with almost a dozen Australian tourists still unaccounted for.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed 24 Australians were visiting the island "as part of a cruise ship tour". He said 13 have been hospitalised and the remaining 11 are still unaccounted for.

Many of the victims are tourists from Australia, the UK, China, Malaysia and the US.

New Zealand Police say there are no further signs of life on the island, following flyovers late on Monday.

It is still unclear when emergency services will be able to access the island and start recovering bodies, with police waiting for the all-clear before going in.

more  https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/white-island-volcano-eruption-police-believe-no-survivors-on-new-zealand-island/live-coverage/b5dce1c793d1791841f1cb0ba12b4e65

[Kiwifruit]

Eight victims remain on White Island with conditions deemed too dangerous to recover them at this time.
Never slow to react, Workplace Health and Safety have launched an enquiry and the Police have launched a criminal investigation.
l wonder if they find that sightseeing tours to an active volcano can be hazardous to your health.
Today l spoke with people l play tennis with that have visited White Island and they say its a truly amazing place...... thats why people visit.
We are now hearing on the news that red tape is stopping the recovery of the victims. Tour guides and chopper pilots are saying they would go back there now and have the bodies recovered in fifteen minutes. They know where they are, they moved some of the victims to higher ground yesterday, out of an acid stream thinking they would be going straight back out to get them.
We have also had a couple of earthquakes fairly close by.

[grog]

Just so sad. Not sure why go into a volcano but each to their own.

[VladTepes]

Just so sad. Not sure why go into a volcano but each to their own.

Probably for much the same reason we ride motorcycles.

[KiwiCol]

latest update on this, also posted in the H&S thread

www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/emotional-letter-pilot-asks-pm-if-he-can-retrieve-brothers-body-from-white-island/ar-AAK0GTs?ocid=spartandhp


Bloody jobsworth mongrels involved now.

[Irish in Oz]

Would it not be easier/safer to go in on a boat 

[Kiwifruit]

l am embarrassed that in the eyes of the world we sit back and do nothing for those left on White Island. We were not told the people still there had all been moved by the chopper pilots and first responders to make them easier to recover. The pilots are straining at the leash to recover them but stopped by pen pushers.
l see a similarity to the situation at the Pike River Mine explosion that cost the lives of 29 men. The Police stopped their workmates going back into the mine to attempt a rescue. They waited nearly a week for the mine to blow again then stood back and said "we told you it would happen" years on that tragedy continues.
We are supposed to be doers not watchers.

[Notty]

l am embarrassed that in the eyes of the world we sit back and do nothing for those left on White Island. We were not told the people still there had all been moved by the chopper pilots and first responders to make them easier to recover. The pilots are straining at the leash to recover them but stopped by pen pushers.
l see a similarity to the situation at the Pike River Mine explosion that cost the lives of 29 men. The Police stopped their workmates going back into the mine to attempt a rescue. They waited nearly a week for the mine to blow again then stood back and said "we told you it would happen" years on that tragedy continues.
We are supposed to be doers not watchers.

Don't be embarrassed Col - we can all see and understand that. the safety of the rescue people is paramount 

[Sweaty]

latest update on this, also posted in the H&S thread

www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/emotional-letter-pilot-asks-pm-if-he-can-retrieve-brothers-body-from-white-island/ar-AAK0GTs?ocid=spartandhp


Bloody jobsworth mongrels involved now.

You really have to feel for that poor Pilot. How frustrating and gut wrenching would that be 

[gsxbarmy]

It's on BBC News this morning that police have now sanctioned a rescue mission on Friday morning and that they know where 6 of the bodies are.

[Kiwifruit]

The chopper pilot Mark Law that was interviewed on TV and said he would have the job done in 90 minutes was added to the panel making the decision when to go.
He is former SAS so would be better qualified than most to assess risk.
Hope they can get it done today for everyone waiting for their loved ones.

[MarkN]

The chopper pilot Mark Law that was interviewed on TV and said he would have the job done in 90 minutes was added to the panel making the decision when to go.
He is former SAS so would be better qualified than most to assess risk.
Hope they can get it done today for everyone waiting for their loved ones.

SAS - speaks volumes - "can do attitude". Good luck to 'em

[gsxbarmy]

Latest news is the mission went ahead and 6 bodies recovered. No mention of the remains 2 though.

[VladTepes]

About an hour ago they took 6 bodies off, and are looking for another 2.