New Zealand authorities plan to recover the remaining bodies Friday morning from Monday’s deadly volcanic eruption.
The eruption on White Island killed at least eight people, and eight more dead bodies are believed to be on the island, say reports.
The recovery team will consist of eight military specialists who will attempt to bring back remaining bodies despite the volcano still spewing steam and mud and causing tremors.
The recovery operation is considered risky. Scientists worry the volcano may erupt again soon, burying the bodies. But authorities are determined to try to recover the bodies now because if they wait too long, rain mixed with the heavy ash could trap the bodies in a cement-like substance, reports AP.
Officials believe the 47 people on the island when the volcano erupted included 24 Australians, nine Americans, five New Zealanders, four Germans, two British, two Chinese and one Malaysian.
Surviving victims of the eruption remain in hospitals, being treated for extreme burns and awaiting skin grafts. Some of the wounded were burned on as much as 95% of their bodies.
A total of 30 people were hospitalized after the eruption, but two died from their injuries Wednesday night—16-year-old Berend Hollander and his brother, 13-year-old Matthew. Those deaths brought the confirmed death toll to eight.
Please pray for the victims of this eruption and their families as well as for safety of the recovery team as they search the island Friday.
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