Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Jacinda Ardern attends a service in Whakatane to mark the first anniversary of the White Island volcanic eruption. Andrew Warner/NZME/AP

New Zealand marks one year since deadly volcanic eruption

22 people died after superheated steam spewed out from the volcanic crater’s floor on White Island last year.

NEW ZEALAND PRIME Minister Jacinda Ardern has led a memorial service marking the first anniversary of a volcanic eruption off the country’s North Island in which 22 people died, sending her love and support to survivors and the bereaved.

47 people were visiting tourist attraction White Island on December 9 last year when superheated steam spewed out from the volcanic crater’s floor. Most of those who survived suffered horrific burns.

Many of those killed and injured were tourists travelling from Australia aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas. Of those killed, 14 were Australian, five were American, two were New Zealanders and one was German.

“I want to send a message of aroha [love] and support to the survivors overseas, their families and those who lost loved ones as well as those who are here with us in the room today,” Ardern told the televised service from the town of Whakatane, near the island.

“We share in your sorrow.”

Many people now question why tourists were allowed to visit the island, especially after experts monitoring seismic activity had raised the volcano’s alert level two weeks before the eruption.

New Zealand authorities last month filed safety violation charges against 10 organisations and three individuals in relation to the eruption.

The charges brought by New Zealand’s WorkSafe agency are separate from an ongoing police investigation that could result in more charges.

Families of some of those killed and injured have also filed their own lawsuits.

Today’s service was a time for those who lost loved ones or who were injured to pay tribute to the heroic rescue efforts by other tourists, who returned to the island in a boat to pick up the injured, as well as to police and hospital staff.

People at the service stood in silence at 2.11pm (1.11am Irish time), the moment the eruption took place.

Lauren and Matt Urey, who were injured in the eruption while visiting New Zealand on their honeymoon, spoke in a pre-recorded video clip from their hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

“While we have been forever changed by that day and will certainly never forget it, we are doing our best to move forward,” Matt Urey said.

Lauren Urey said that from the shadow of the tragedy they had met amazing people, including the tourists who consoled them and provided emergency first aid on the boat trip back to Whakatane, and other survivors who had continued to be part of a support network as they recover.

White Island is the tip of an undersea volcano and is also known by its indigenous Maori name, Whakaari.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 10 comments
Close
10 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
    Favourite Fr. Fintan Stack
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 7:26 AM

    She just comes across as a great leader. I wonder could we clone her and send her to Ireland!

    111
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nickwhick
    Favourite Nickwhick
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 7:38 AM

    Anyone else think she looks smug all the time?

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Butler
    Favourite Pat Butler
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 8:00 AM

    @Nickwhick: too sweet to be wholesome

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Brogan
    Favourite Richard Brogan
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 8:17 AM

    @Nickwhick: No.

    81
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Cooney
    Favourite Brendan Cooney
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 8:19 AM

    @Nickwhick: nah, she only appears that way to those who favour chaos, backhanders, backroomdeals etc etc.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carol Conway
    Favourite Carol Conway
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 8:52 AM

    @Nickwhick: aaaand here we go on commenting on the appearance of female politicians

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carol Conway
    Favourite Carol Conway
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 8:52 AM

    @Nickwhick: aaaand here we go on commenting on the appearance of female politicians

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richy
    Favourite Richy
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 9:22 AM

    @Carol Conway: Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, Leo Varadkar and Michael Martin are still fair game though right?

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Favourite A Well Known Comical Stereotype
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 10:24 AM

    The Aussie murderer couldn’t get guns in Oz, so he went to NZ. The Aussie right wing government refuses to make any right-wing groups illegal, even though the authourities believe they are a significant risk.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chewey Bacca
    Favourite Chewey Bacca
    Report
    Dec 9th 2020, 2:08 PM

    @A Well Known Comical Stereotype: this is the volcano eruption story in NZ and not the oz mosque shooter story in NZ. Edmund Hillary was a beekeeper.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds