Teenage brothers Berend and Matthew Hollander have become the latest Australians confirmed dead following the volcano eruption on New Zealand's White Island on Monday, while the first Australian survivors have been repatriated home for treatment.
The boys' deaths bring the known number of Australians to have died in the eruption to eight. Their parents are among nine people missing.
"Matthew had a close circle of friends and was popular amongst his peers. He was always enthusiastic about life and was actively involved in school and year group activities." Ben and Matthew "were wonderfully kind and spirited boys who lived short but very fulsome lives. They loved Knox and all their friends, and the Australian sports and outdoor lifestyle they adopted on moving from the United States six years ago. They had a positive and lasting impact on everyone's paths they crossed."
The trio's friends said they had "embarked upon a cruise as a group of nine close friends who were looking forward to a wonderful holiday together".First Australian survivors brought home
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