The six bodies retrieved from New Zealand’s Whakaari / White Island this morning are all thought to be those of Australians, according to Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
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Payne told the Sydney Morning Herald it would be difficult to determine their identities “in advance of the formal process”, but had been informed by local authorities they were Australian victims of the volcanic eruption.
The paper states a specialist military operation travelled to the island this morning, four days after the catastrophe.
The victims retrieved today are thought to be Julie Richards, 47, her daughter Jessica, 20, Zoe Hosking, 15, Krystal Browitt, 21, and couple Karla Matthews and Richard “Rick” Elzer, both 32.
The bodies were airlifted to the HMNZS Wellington and will be transferred to Auckland.
Authorities believe the bodies of New Zealanders Tipene Maangi and Hayden Marshall-Inman remain on the island.
New Zealand police deputy commissioner Mike Clement said those bodies could not be retrieved as today’s operation on the volatile island took longer than expected.
Citing comments made by Payne last night, News.com.au states the Australian death toll could rise to 15 people.
Earlier, Sydney brothers Matthew and Berend “Ben” Hollander were confirmed to have died in hospital from their injuries. Their parents, Martin and Barbara Hollander, remain missing.
Jason Griffiths, friend of Matthews and Elzer, died in hospital.
Gavin Dallow, stepfather to Hosking, also died in the Monday morning disaster.
More people injured in the horrific eruption have been transferred to Australian and local hospitals for treatment.
