Last Updated on December 16, 2019, 3:51 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The names of four more people killed in an outburst on New Zealand’s most intense volcano were revealed on Monday, as the country witnessed a minute’s silence to mark one week since the tragedy.
The death toll from the explosion reaches at 18, including two people whose corpses have not been retrieved, with at least 17 more being treated for critical burns in New Zealand and Australian hospitals.
All four victims named on Monday were Australian – Jessica Richards, 20, Jason David Griffiths, 33, Martin Berend Hollander, 48, and Kristine Elizabeth Langford, 45.
It brings the Australians are recognised as among those killed in the eruption to eight, along with two residents from the United States who had permanent residency in Australia.
The only other person identified so far is Tipene James Te Rangi Ataahua Maangi, 24, a New Zealander who was working as a travel guide on the volcano last Monday when it exploded out a massive plume of ash, rock and superheated steam.
New Zealand observed for a minute’s silence at 2:11 pm (01:11 GMT) headed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who stood beside her ministers in the country’s Parliament building.
“Those who have been lost are now eternally linked to New Zealand, and we will keep them close,” Ardern published on her official Instagram account.
A total of 47 day-trippers and guides were on the island at the time, hailing from Australia, the US, Britain, China, Germany, Malaysia and New Zealand.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
