A police operation to retrieve the remaining bodies from the volcanic White Island is under way. The risk of another eruption is growing and it’s a race against time.
The retrieval operation carried out by eight New Zealand military specialists started at first light.
Nine others are still missing, presumed killed. The bodies of eight people remain on the country’s most active volcano.Helicopters, the HMNZS Wellington and specialist equipment will all be involved in the operation, which is expected to last several hours. “The family representatives are returning to the mainland and the operation to recover the eight bodies on the island has commenced.”
Geological monitoring agency GeoNet has warned there is a 50 to 60 per cent risk of a further volcanic eruption taking place on Friday – up from a 40-60 per cent chance on Wednesday. Mr Kilgour said volcanic tremors are still relatively high compared to normal levels and the situation is “highly volatile”.
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