 https://theparrots08.blogspot.com/2019/12/one-critically-injured-in-volcano.html |
New Zealand’s most active volcano, Whaksarri (White Island) taken 1999. |
Wellington:
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the White volcanic island — also known as Whakaari — off New Zealand’s north coast had erupted while groups of tourists were visiting.
“It is very much an evolving situation and of course all our thoughts are with those affected,” she told reporters in Wellington, adding that an undetermined number of people were unaccounted for.
Police reports indicate that around 50 people were nearby when this eruption occured fewer than the 100 officials originally estimated.
“Some of those people have been transported to shore, however a number believed to be on the island are currently unaccounted for,” the force said in a statement.
“Of those transported to shore, at least one has been critically injured.”
Officials at St John Ambulance said there were up to 20 people believed injured and Emergency services are currently trying to get these people back from the island to hospital for treatment.
The country’s National Emergency Management Agency described the eruption as “moderate”, although a thick plume of white ash could be seen for miles around.
White Island is about 50 kilometres (30 miles) offshore and is reknown for its adventurous nature with tourists willing to don hard hats and gas masks. Around 10,000 people visit the volcano every year.
It is the mostactive volcano cone and about 70 percent of it is under water, according to government agency GeoNet.
This is not the first time the volcano erupt. Its known for frequent eruptions over the last half-century, with most recent in 2016.
In August of that year the New Zealand Defence Force airlifted a 2.4-tonne shipping container onto the island to serve as an emergency shelter in case of an eruption. AFP
