A sixth person has died following the massive volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s White Island this week — and authorities say eight more, including at least one American, are missing and presumed dead, according to a new report.
The newest confirmed victim was being treated at a local hospital before succumbing to their injuries, the New Zealand Herald reported.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that at least one of the eight considered missing was among the nine Americans who were on the island when the explosion happened, according to multiple reports.
In addition to the Americans, 24 Australians, five New Zealanders, four Germans, two people each from the UK and China and one person from Malaysia were on the island at the time, police confirmed to the Herald.
They ranged in age from 13 to 72 — and 38 of them were tourists who were traveling on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, docked in the harborside city of Tauranga.
Meanwhile, 31 people injured in the Monday afternoon explosion are being treated in seven hospitals.
Some of them suffered burns over 90 percent of their bodies — and a source told the Herald their fate is in the balance.
Among the injured are Richmond, Va., newlyweds Matthew and Lauren Urey, who were on a day trip to White Island from the Ovation cruise ship.
Matthew, 36, was airlifted to a hospital in Christchurch with burns over 80 percent of his body, while Lauren, 32, underwent surgery at an Auckland hospital with burns over 20 percent of her body.
Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims said at a Tuesday press conference that officials “absolutely believe that everyone that could be taken from the island yesterday were rescued at the time of the evacuation.”
“A number of flights were carried out throughout the day, and no signs of life were seen,” he added.
Tims said authorities are “doing everything we possibly can” to recover the remaining bodies from the island.
“We know the importance of recovering the bodies to the families and friends, so we’re working really hard in that space,” he said.
Authorities initially said a criminal investigation was launched into the circumstances of the eruption — but police later corrected that, saying that “it is too early to confirm whether there will also be a criminal investigation,” according to the Herald.
They did confirm they are investigating the White Island deaths on behalf of the coroner, in conjunction with an investigation by health and safety regulator WorkSafe New Zealand.
Police are also working with fire and emergency services officials to investigate the gas levels in the atmosphere and other conditions on the island, the outlet reported.
