(1) Thread No.3 on NZ's #WhiteIsland volcanic eruption.
A third person has died in hospital today, about an hour ago.
Very sadly, it was the mystery patient, who has not yet been identified.
The death toll is now 17. Still 20+ critically ill.
A third person has died in hospital today, about an hour ago.
Very sadly, it was the mystery patient, who has not yet been identified.
The death toll is now 17. Still 20+ critically ill.
(2) Normally by day four, the official list of deceased, missing, and injured would be clear.
But some of those hospitalized are not identified, due to the nature of their injuries, and the lack of ID with them.
Some have burns to >90% of their body. Most are unconscious.
But some of those hospitalized are not identified, due to the nature of their injuries, and the lack of ID with them.
Some have burns to >90% of their body. Most are unconscious.
(3) My current understanding is this:
>8 deceased, still on the island
>9 died en route or in hospital (H)
>21 alive in NZ Hs
>6 alive in AU H care
>3 alive & discharged from H in NZ
Total: 47
Of the 27 in Hs, 23 are in critical condition. More deaths are expected.
>8 deceased, still on the island
>9 died en route or in hospital (H)
>21 alive in NZ Hs
>6 alive in AU H care
>3 alive & discharged from H in NZ
Total: 47
Of the 27 in Hs, 23 are in critical condition. More deaths are expected.
(4) Police and the Coroner have been able to confirm the names of some of the deceased on the island, and most of those who were declared dead in hospitals.
I think that's due to some being teenagers, so a smaller body size.
The sooner we have clarity, the better.
I think that's due to some being teenagers, so a smaller body size.
The sooner we have clarity, the better.
(5) Police have a difficult decision to make about when & how to approach the island to retrieve the bodies of the deceased. They will ask each family for their wishes.
A quick operation risks reducing the chance of IDing the deceased.
Waiting say, 3 weeks, also risks that.
A quick operation risks reducing the chance of IDing the deceased.
Waiting say, 3 weeks, also risks that.
(6) I don't believe there's any way to predict when the volcano will return to a less active state. 3 weeks ago it was fairly settled.
A very quick trip by helicopter to load-and-go would be the safest way.
Staying to do a full evidential scene examination will take longer.
A very quick trip by helicopter to load-and-go would be the safest way.
Staying to do a full evidential scene examination will take longer.
(7) It feels to me like the authorities, media, and most locals are obsessed with recovering the bodies of the deceased.
My prime concern is for the living.
Esp. the families waiting for their loved one to be able to wake up.
My prime concern is for the living.
Esp. the families waiting for their loved one to be able to wake up.
(8) I'm reading this article on what happened at #WhiteIsland on Monday, and since.
It answers a lot of questions. More answers will come, in time.
stuff.co.nz/national/11808…
It answers a lot of questions. More answers will come, in time.
stuff.co.nz/national/11808…
(9) #WhiteIsland update: 9.30am local time, Friday 13 December.
An ominous date, if you're superstitious. Which I am not.
My focus is on the living, who are critically injured with the severest of burns anyone can survive.
Others are focusing on the dead.
An ominous date, if you're superstitious. Which I am not.
My focus is on the living, who are critically injured with the severest of burns anyone can survive.
Others are focusing on the dead.
(10) Last night's 6pm news coverage took 7 minutes to mention the living, after talking about the dead.
It makes for good TV ratings. People don't like thinking about what the living have been through and what lies ahead for them.
Most people are cowards, aren't they.
It makes for good TV ratings. People don't like thinking about what the living have been through and what lies ahead for them.
Most people are cowards, aren't they.
(11) Our military & police are not cowards. Eight of them are on the island rn, carefully but quickly recovering every body they can locate, from behind their protective suits.
The mountain is getting more active. Chance of a second eruption went from 50% to 60% overnight.
The mountain is getting more active. Chance of a second eruption went from 50% to 60% overnight.
(12) The main reason they're taking this risk is to enable ID of the victims. And hopefully to gather evidence to aid the investigation.
The longer they wait, the less chance of achieving both goals.
Also, they were pressured by some of the families.
The longer they wait, the less chance of achieving both goals.
Also, they were pressured by some of the families.
(13) I am sure that other families of the deceased would not demand that people go on to the island right now for body recovery.
But in NZ, being a relative of a dead person grants you special status after a tragedy like this. Rational decision-making is under severe strain.
But in NZ, being a relative of a dead person grants you special status after a tragedy like this. Rational decision-making is under severe strain.
(14) If I publicly mention irl that the same group of people demanding this risky mission take place are the owner-operators of the tour company and may end up legally liable for the tragedy, I will be shot down in flames.
Including by media, who are exploiting the narrative.
Including by media, who are exploiting the narrative.
(15) As a New Zealander, I have a stake in what happens now.
My own access to lifesaving healthcare & other essential services is compromised every time our collective resources are depleted.
Kinda suggests a problem with the unbridled collective approach, doesn't it.
My own access to lifesaving healthcare & other essential services is compromised every time our collective resources are depleted.
Kinda suggests a problem with the unbridled collective approach, doesn't it.
(16) New Zealand's "single payer" so-called "universal" healthcare system is unable to care for disaster victims for more than a few days without foreign aid in the form of repatriation to a 1st world country.
I have a share of universal access to a reducing level of service.
I have a share of universal access to a reducing level of service.
(17) Yes, it is still safe to visit NZ. Just steer clear of activities that have undue risk, like visiting an active volcano that is 80 minutes away from land by boat.
When the operator has not been required to have adequate water for burn first aid on board.
They ran out.
When the operator has not been required to have adequate water for burn first aid on board.
They ran out.
(18) All the ceremonial blessing ceremonies and food and songs and hugs are very nice and I am sure they help the bereaved to cope as best they can.
Some more water, and bags of saline, and pain relief for the boat trip would have been nice, too.
Some more water, and bags of saline, and pain relief for the boat trip would have been nice, too.
(19) Update at 11.25am:
>the injured continue to be cared for in hospital
>the bodies of 6 #WhiteIsland victims have been retrieved and are now on board the navy ship.
IMO, the bodies of the remaining 2 victims might not be found. Anyway, very grateful to those involved.
>the injured continue to be cared for in hospital
>the bodies of 6 #WhiteIsland victims have been retrieved and are now on board the navy ship.
IMO, the bodies of the remaining 2 victims might not be found. Anyway, very grateful to those involved.
