Whakaari/White Island: First responders land on 'moon-like' ash after eruption

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

New Zealand first responders land on 'moon-like' ash after the Whakaari/White Island eruption.

With their heads tucked tightly towards their chests two first responders knelt silently as the moon-like ash of Whakaari/White Island swirled wildly around them.

Newly-released video from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter shows two rescue crew being dropped onto the island by to assess tourists who were sightseeing when the island volcano erupted.

Two of the first responders kneeling among the moon-like dust of White Island following the deadly eruption.

The crews landed despite the danger and helped evacuate dozens of survivors, some of them critically injured.

Three crews from Westpac Auckland Rescue Helicopters helped with the rescue effort, along with two crews from private helicopter companies and a Volcanic Air helicopter.

The billowing ash from White Island's eruption.

* Jacinda Ardern thanks first responders from Whakaari/White Island eruption

* Police Minister defends police for not going onto Whakaari/White Island

* Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption: Images from rescue helicopter crews

* Whānau of tour guide on Whakaari/White Island stand vigil at Whakatāne wharf**

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told parliament there were two groups of people on White Island at the time, those who were able to be evacuated and those who were close to the eruption.

'I want to acknowledge the courageous decision made by first responders, and those pilots who, in (an) immediate rescue effort, made (an) incredibly brave decision, under extraordinarily dangerous circumstances, in an attempt to get people out,' Ardern said in Parliament.

'As a result of their efforts, a number of people were rescued from the island.'

Forty-seven people were believed to be on the island at the time of the eruption. At least five people have died, with eight still unaccounted for.

New Zealand Police said anyone who was not evacuated from the island had likely died.

'The police Eagle helicopter, rescue helicopter, and NZDF aircraft have undertaken a number of aerial reconnaissance flights over the island since the eruption,' police said in a release.

'No signs of life have been seen at any point.'

This article was originally published on Nine News and was used with permission.