Finding answers for grieving families

Friday, 13 December 2019

A photo of the Whakaari/White Island eruption taken by tourism operator White Island Flights.

EDITORIAL: Anyone who has followed the tragic events on Whakaari/White Island will appreciate the immense challenge that faced those tasked with recovering the bodies from the island.

Sea conditions, the weather, and volcanic activity are all prime considerations for any recovery operation.

As late as Thursday, experts warned of a 40 - 60 per cent chance of another eruption.

On Friday, shortly after first light, defence force personnel, supported by police and other emergency services, went to the island.

* Whakaari/White Island: The risk of recovering bodies from the island

* Whakaari/White Island volcano: Unlucky timing or unsafe system?

Various courses of action were in play. One option was an 'in and out' style mission - that is, retrieve the bodies as quickly as possible and leave. In the end, rescuers spent four hours onshore.

Those heading to the island would have been acutely aware of the desire of grieving families to have their loved ones brought home.

A blessing was held at sea with the families before the mission began.

By 11am, six bodies had been recovered.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush said rescuers showed 'absolute courage' in overcoming unpredictable and challenging conditions.

Work to locate two more bodies was ongoing, Bush said at the time.

Credit should be given to everyone involved in the recovery operation.

During a week of unfolding tragedy, their efforts will have brought some bittersweet relief to distraught families. Thanks should also be given to medical staff who continue to treat the injured.

The prospect of a lengthy delay in retrieving the bodies had some prematurely comparing the situation to the Pike River Mine disaster where the bodies of 29 miners remain trapped underground.

Admittedly, the police's handling of the eruption aftermath hasn't been without its critics, especially in those first few days.

Police Minister Stuart Nash admitted the communication by officers in charge hadn't met his expectations.

There was also the unfortunate announcement by police that a criminal investigation had been launched into the eruption deaths. They quickly corrected themselves to say it was instead a coronial investigation.

Soon after, Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Clement was parachuted in to assume operational control at Whakatāne.

Clement's ability to explain fluid scenarios, as well as his openness, is refreshing.

Asked how he was feeling prior to the recovery operation commencing, Clement replied: 'Of course I'm worried, I wouldn't be human if I was not worried.'

Many big questions still need to be answered about this tragedy.

Chief among them is whether tourists should have been allowed on the island when volcanic activity was rated at level 2, indicating moderate to heightened volcanic unrest.

The tourism pull of Whakaari/White Island is undeniable, with 18,000 people visiting there each year.

In light of this tragedy, the wisdom of allowing tourism operators the final call in deciding whether to visit the island needs to be revisited.

Clearly, operators believed level 2 volcanic activity was a manageable risk.

The call for more governmental oversight in this area is sure to grow louder.

As many experts have said, hydrothermal eruptions are nearly impossible to predict.

When the island erupted, 47 people were on it, including 24 Australian tourists. Some of those injured Australians have already been airlifted back home to receive ongoing treatment.

Interest in the coronial investigation will remain high, both here and overseas.

The onus is on those involved to seek out answers for grieving families and the wider public.

A well-executed recovery operation was an important first step.