Whakaari\White Island: Grieving families gather with their lost loved ones at airport

Friday, 13 December 2019

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media about recovery of six bodies from Whakaari/White Island.

As the bodies of six people who died in the Whakaari/White Island eruption leave Whakatāne, the efforts to recover two more victims will continue.

On Friday afternoon Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis joined grieving families at Whakatāne Airport as they spent time with their lost loved ones.

There was a 'sense of calmness and sense of peace' among those gathered, Davis said as he explained the karakia and mihi performed by Ngati Āwa.

'Then there was time for the whanau to be sitting among the coffins… obviously they didn't know if that was their family member.'

**READ MORE:

Jacinda Adern praised the efforts of the recovery team. local iwi and community.

* Whakaari/White Island live update

Families of those missing were the first to approach Whakaari ahead of this morning's recovery.

* Six bodies taken off island, two remain

* Police release photos of recovery effort**

During a press conference on Friday afternoon, Ardern praised the efforts of the recovery team, the local iwi of Whakatāne, and acknowledged 'the grief and loss of the families'.

'Today is all about reuniting them with their loved ones.'

Reports about the recovered bodies being those of Australian citizens were inaccurate, she said.

Asked whether an inquiry into the disaster would be launched, Ardern said she was 'checking the scope' of the WorkSafe investigations and questions would be answered.

'We need to look at the situation we have in front of us … and make sure we answer those questions.'

On Friday afternoon, Police Commissioner Mike Bush said search teams were taking a break but the recovery effort would continue on Saturday.

Speaking at 5.15pm, he wouldn't confirm if the search had ended for the day: 'There's a lot of daylight left.'

Bush described the efforts of the recovery team - two teams of three - who wore layers of protective clothing and breathing apparatus during their 'difficult' work on the island.

The recycled air oxygen they breathed through their masks could reach temperatures of 30 degrees: 'And that's just when they're standing still.'

While the bodies were initially going to be taken from Whakatāne to Auckland by hearse, they were eventually flown by helicopter.

The Government would continue to support families, and the wider Whakatāne community who had been hard-hit by the disaster.

Asked how the tragedy had impacted her, Ardern replied: 'The same as any New Zealander.'