Fresh tremors delay recovery of volcano victims

The threat of another volcanic eruption prevented recovery efforts Wednesday of at least nine people missing and presumed dead after an island volcano erupted off the coast of New Zealand while dozens of people were touring the rim. 

Geologists monitoring the White Island volcano said volcanic tremors had increased Wednesday morning, along with increased venting of steam and mud. According to the GeoNet seismic monitoring agency, there is a 40-60% chance of an eruption similar to Monday's within the next 24 hours. 

Read more: New Zealand volcano: No more survivors expected after deadly eruption

"We interpret these signals as evidence of continued high gas pressures within the volcano," the seismic monitoring service GeoNet said in an alert bulletin.

"Eruptions in the next 24 hours are still likely to occur,'' the bulletin said, adding that volcanic tremors have continued to rise and are at the highest levels since the volcano last erupted in 2016. 

"Yesterday there was a high risk of an eruption. Today there is an even higher risk of an eruption. And the parameters are worsening at the moment," Graham Leonard, a senior volcanologist at GNS Science, told a news conference in Wellington.

Recovery mission on hold 

On Wednesday, a plume of smoke can be seen coming from the island, which is called Whakaari in Maori. 

What is now a recovery mission was hampered by the seismic activity on Wednesday. Police said they were standing by to go back to the island but it was currently too dangerous. 

"We cannot put other people in jeopardy to go out there until we're absolutely certain that the island is actually safe," said a police commissioner in Whakatane, the town that is an access point for tourist trips to the island.

Authorities said that least 47 people were on the volcano when it erupted. The death toll currently stands at six, with at least nine people still missing and presumed dead. Most of the dead and injured are hikers who were near the rim of the volcano when it erupted. 

Currently 30 patients are being treated at six hospitals around New Zealand. Many of the victims sustained severe burns.

wmr/stb  (Reuters, dpa, AP)

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