WHITE ISLAND, New Zealand (Pics taken from cruise ship in 2008)
This morning, 6 of the 8 remaining bodies were retrieved from White Island, New Zealand following the catastrophic volcanic eruption of a few days ago.
The 29 tourists rescued immediately after the event are suffering horrific burns injuries. Eight people died at the time or as a result of their injuries.
The following pics (from 2008) shows how attractive a seemingly dormant volcano can appear. Tourist, up to a few days ago, visited the island and were conducted to the edge of the live volcano to see the steam vents, bubbling mud and acid lake.
The extremely deep waters around the volcano's cone attracted divers.
I returned home to Australia from NZ yesterday, having sailed into Mt Maunganui Port (Tauranga), the morning after the eruption, aboard ‘Norwegian Jewel’ which moored next to ‘Oasis of the Seas’ - the affected vessel.
Having passed the volcano at about 5.50am, white clouds were still rising from it. On the wharf and in the port, a heavy feeling of grief was felt from the tragic loss of life.
My memories of White Island stretch back to 2008, when the ship I was on, circumnavigated the horse-shoe shaped crater. Even then, its steaming, smouldering, volatile potential was evident.
Pics: from 2008
