WHAKATANE, New Zealand — A New Zealand island volcano vented more steam and mud Wednesday in an increase of geothermal activity that again delayed the recovery of victims’ bodies from a deadly eruption two days ago.
Volcanic tremors on White Island rose in the morning, accompanied by releases of more steam and mud, the GeoNet seismic monitoring agency said.
“We interpret these signals as evidence of continued high gas pressures within the volcano,” the agency said. “The situation remains highly uncertain as to future activity. Eruptions in the next 24 hours are still likely to occur.”
Six deaths have been confirmed in Monday’s eruption, which sent a tower of steam and ash an estimated 12,000 feet into the air. The bodies of eight other people are believed to remain on the ash-covered island. And 30 people remain hospitalized, including 25 in critical condition. Many of the injured suffered severe burns.
Bruce Bird, an acting assistant police commissioner, said they were monitoring the situation hour by hour.
“Safety for our staff is a huge priority for us,” Bird said. “And we’ve got to get this right.”
Bird said a drone was deployed over the island to measure gas levels after strong winds had thwarted those attempts on Tuesday.
But helicopter pilot Mark Law said the delay was hard to understand and that if he was making the decision, he would leave immediately.
“It would take 20 minutes to get out there. We know where they are,” he said, referring to the bodies. “Then we could bring them home.”
Police believe 47 visitors were on the island at the time, 24 of them Australian, nine Americans, five New Zealanders and others from Germany, Britain, China and Malaysia. Many were passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
Survivors ran into the sea to escape the scalding steam and ash and emerged covered in burns, said those who first helped them. Geoff Hopkins watched the eruption from a boat after visiting the island and told the New Zealand Herald the eruption quickly turned menacing.