Whakaari/White Island: First Australians killed identified as mother and daughter
Wednesday, 11 December 2019
The first Australian victims of the deadly volcanic eruption on Whakaari/White Island have been confirmed by authorities.
Brisbane mother Julie Richards, and her 20-year-old daughter Jessica were killed when an eruption rocked the tourist attraction at 2.11pm on Monday.
Family friend John Mickel told reporters that the family was 'united in grief' after receiving news they had died in the eruption.
'You obviously live in hope that's it not going to be your loved one's name that comes up, but the hope was snuffed out this morning with the message from the New Zealand police,' he said.
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'Now we have the festive season, which will be celebrated by so many Queenslanders, but for this family it will be one of deep poignancy.'
He said Richards and Jessica had been extremely excited about their cruise holiday with the liner Ovation of the Sea.
The pair, who take a cruise together every year, left for New Zealand on Monday. They were due to return home to Brisbane this weekend.
They were from the Brisbane suburb of Calamvale.
Jessica had been studying to become a vet and was also a talented trumpet player. The 20-year-old had been playing AFL at a representative level in Queensland.
The mother and daughter were among 24 Australians on the island at the time of the eruption.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday 11 Australians were unaccounted for, including at least three believed to be among the six already confirmed dead.
As of Wednesday morning, there were eight people still missing and presumed dead. Authorities believe no one who did not manage to escape the island survived the eruption.
Another 13 Australians were injured and recovering in hospital, many with severe burns.
Australians are believed to be among those who are yet to be retrieved from the island.
'I fear there is worse news to come over the course of perhaps today or over the next few days,' Morrison said.
'This is a terrible tragedy, a time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption.'
This article was originally published on Nine News and was used with permission. Additional reporting from AAP.