New Zealand Police have issued a statement confirming a sixth person has died following the volcanic eruption on White Island on Monday
Forty-seven tourists and guides were on the tiny island when the volcano erupted on Monday afternoon, blasting a plume of smoke, ash, steam and rock more than 3.5 kilometres into the sky.
Twenty-four came from Australia, nine from the United States, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two each from China and the Britain and one from Malaysia. A number of those people were from the Royal Caribbean, Ovation of the Seas, cruise ship.
The six dead were among the 23 people evacuated from the island, with Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirming 13 of those transported to hospital were Australians.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said “the scale of this tragedy is devastating” as reconnaissance flights showed no signs of life on the ash-covered island.
The eruption on Monday coincided with a nearby visit by Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas which was in the port of Tauranga, a coastal city about 90 km (56 miles) from White Island.
Royal Caribbean has released a statement as follows:
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, counseling, 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 onsite, 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 – 1-300-026-240
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