Friends of the three Australians killed in the White Island volcano blast have told media they are “devastated” and “saddened” following the disaster that has so far claimed the lives of six Australians, with a seventh presumed dead.
A statement put together by travelling companions of Jason Griffiths, Karla Mathews and Richard Elzer said the group “embarked upon a cruise as a group of 9 close friends who were looking forward to a wonderful holiday together”.
The statement said the group was “devastated by the news” after finding out Richard Elzer and Karla Mathews were still onshore at the time of the eruption. Friends and relatives have “been advised that there are no signs of life on the island”. Their third friend, Jason Griffiths, was discovered in a hospital in the early hours of the next morning but passed away the following day. “We are incredibly saddened to have lost three of our closest friends.
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