New Zealand divers search contaminated waters for volcano victims

HANDOUT / NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE / AFP

New Zealand divers on Saturday resumed search operations on the volcanic White Island in a bid to find the last two missing victims.

The divers are working in contaminated waters with low visibility, despite risks of another eruption.

In a statement, the police described the conditions as "unique and challenging".

"The water around the island is contaminated, requiring the divers to take extra precautions to ensure their safety, including using specialist protective equipment," they explained.

On Friday, rescue teams conducted a high-risk operation to recover six bodies.

The death toll from the eruption is now at 14, with more than two dozen people being treated for severe burn injuries in hospitals. 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a minute’s silence will be observed at 0111GMT on December 16 to remember the victims of the White Island eruption.

More from International News

  • Syria's Assad and family granted asylum in Russia

    Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow with his family after Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies on Sunday, while a deal has been made to ensure the safety of Russian military bases.

  • Trump vows to pardon Jan 6 defendants on Day One

    President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview that aired on Sunday he would act on his first day in office to pardon rioters involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, further building expectations for a broad granting of clemency.

  • At least 26 killed as pro-Turkish forces launch offensive in Syria

    At least 26 fighters were killed on Sunday as Turkish-backed Syrian forces launched an offensive in the Manbij region of northern Syria, days after seizing a Kurdish-held enclave, an NGO said.

  • Bomb threats emailed to dozens of Delhi schools

    At least 40 schools received a bomb threat by email in Delhi on Monday demanding $30,000, ANI news agency said, while police officials conducted initial searches on school premises.

Blogs