Baer. Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 New Zealand Volcano Erupts, and Police See ‘No Signs of Life’ Five people have been confirmed dead, and more are missing, after the eruption on White Island, which is popular with tourists. (CNN)Desperate efforts are underway to locate any additional survivors of a deadly volcanic eruption on New Zealand's White Island Monday, which killed at least five people and injured at least a dozen more. The eruption took place with little warning Monday afternoon local time while dozens of tourists from cruise ship Ovation of the Seas were touring the volcano. Shocking footage from tourists on nearby boats were posted on social media, which showed giant plumes of thick black smoke rising from the site. According to a statement by New Zealand Police, there were "no signs of life" on the island late Monday night, after a number of aerial reconnaissance flights over White Island. Over 30 tourists from the Ovation of the Seas were on White Island at the time of the eruption, New Zealand Cruise Association chief executive officer Kevin O'Sullivan told CNN. Those dead were from a group of 23 people who had been immediately evacuated shortly after the eruption, according to New Zealand National Operation Commander Deputy Commissioner John Tims -- all of whom suffered some degree of injury. Earlier police said at least 10 people were missing and believed to still be ashore. "Based on the information we have, we do not believe there are any survivors on the island," the police statement said. "Police is working urgently to confirm the exact number of those who have died, further to the five confirmed deceased already." Both New Zealanders and overseas tourists are believed to be involved; a number were from the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/08/asia/new-zealand-white-island-eruption-intl-hnk/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM_ Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 wow, how horrible. Harsh reminder that nature doesn't care about you. I hope there weren't any kids on the tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Next ... tourists swimming with sharks die in vicious shark attack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Hope they find some survivors... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewbieCanuckFan Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Alflives said: Next ... tourists swimming with sharks die in vicious shark attack. You should talk about near fatal eruptions. How about the time you forgot Mrs Alf's birthday? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, NewbieCanuckFan said: You should talk about near fatal eruptions. How about the time you forgot Mrs Alf's birthday? Mrs. Alf likes to say she's still 29, so I figured okay no more birthdays then. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-SN- Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 It looks like the volcano was under an elevated warning level, and even volcanologists refused to get close to it. Yet, tours continued. RIP to all those who lost their lives due to negligence and pursuit of $. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baer. Posted December 9, 2019 Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) 8 minutes ago, StealthNuck said: It looks like the volcano was under an elevated warning level, and even volcanologists refused to get close to it. Yet, tours continued. RIP to all those who lost their lives due to negligence and pursuit of $. I also read that. There had been reports of activity since October. The cruise line should be held responsible for not informing their customers of this. Edited December 9, 2019 by Baer. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xereau Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 2 hours ago, aGENT said: Hope they find some survivors... See that pyroclastic flow? No way. That's like 600C concrete coming down over the entire island. Anyone caught in that cloud = cooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 18 minutes ago, StealthNuck said: It looks like the volcano was under an elevated warning level, and even volcanologists refused to get close to it. Yet, tours continued. RIP to all those who lost their lives due to negligence and pursuit of $. Well that's a damn shame then. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vanderhoek Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 9 minutes ago, StealthNuck said: It looks like the volcano was under an elevated warning level, and even volcanologists refused to get close to it. Yet, tours continued. RIP to all those who lost their lives due to negligence and pursuit of $. The island was under an elevation alert of 2 up from 1 and had been on alert for years. Not justifying anything here except clearly complacency from tour operators and the individuals who made the decisions to go on the island. Being privately owned likely meant less protections by Government? on who can go on the island and when but there was a process in place involving communication between volcanologists, tour operators and emergency responders with plans in place. So those being on the island would have been aware of the risks. But its nature, no warning needed although those signs subtle or long term were there but ignored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Vanderhoek Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 14 minutes ago, Baer. said: I also read that. There had been reports of activity since October. The cruise line should be held responsible for not informing their customers of this. yet their ad clearly states New Zealand's most active volcano, provides gas masks and you can view lakes of acid. So yeah one can hold them accountable but knowing this before you travel onto an active island volcano maybe you'd consider what you are getting into. The cruise line would have to make arrangements with excursion operators who've been licensed, vetted if you will as well so I am sure with anything these days they can be held responsible for compensation at the end of the day. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonMexico Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Alflives said: Next ... tourists swimming with sharks die in vicious shark attack. Alf fades back....swoosh! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Heffy Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 34 minutes ago, Mike Vanderhoek said: yet their ad clearly states New Zealand's most active volcano, provides gas masks and you can view lakes of acid. So yeah one can hold them accountable but knowing this before you travel onto an active island volcano maybe you'd consider what you are getting into. The cruise line would have to make arrangements with excursion operators who've been licensed, vetted if you will as well so I am sure with anything these days they can be held responsible for compensation at the end of the day. If they were open and honest about the danger, I don't have a problem with it being offered. It seems they gave enough information that people were able to make an informed decision. Condolences to the families of the deceased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Baer. said: I also read that. There had been reports of activity since October. The cruise line should be held responsible for not informing their customers of this. I guess people get to make stupid choices. That's part of the freedom of being an adult. I just don't get anyone who chooses to take such a risk. You're on a cruise vacation, so why risk going into an active volcano where you need a gas mask and there pools of acid? That's like paying money to live with gators in their natural habitat, or swim with sharks, or be coached by Bill Peters. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 3 minutes ago, Alflives said: be coached by Bill Peters. Too soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baer. Posted December 9, 2019 Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Mike Vanderhoek said: yet their ad clearly states New Zealand's most active volcano, provides gas masks and you can view lakes of acid. So yeah one can hold them accountable but knowing this before you travel onto an active island volcano maybe you'd consider what you are getting into. The cruise line would have to make arrangements with excursion operators who've been licensed, vetted if you will as well so I am sure with anything these days they can be held responsible for compensation at the end of the day. 52 minutes ago, Alflives said: I guess people get to make stupid choices. That's part of the freedom of being an adult. I just don't get anyone who chooses to take such a risk. You're on a cruise vacation, so why risk going into an active volcano where you need a gas mask and there pools of acid? That's like paying money to live with gators in their natural habitat, or swim with sharks, or be coached by Bill Peters. Fair points. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kragar Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 1 hour ago, King Heffy said: If they were open and honest about the danger, I don't have a problem with it being offered. It seems they gave enough information that people were able to make an informed decision. Condolences to the families of the deceased. Exactly. If they are not hiding anything about the risk, then, assuming there is the standard boilerplate small-print waiver, I would think the tour and cruise line are covered. Of course, it may not keep an ambulance chaser from trying. Wasn't too long ago that Kilauea spat up a lava bomb on a tour boat. No deaths, but several people injured Nature can kick your ass when she feels the urge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 8 minutes ago, Kragar said: Exactly. If they are not hiding anything about the risk, then, assuming there is the standard boilerplate small-print waiver, I would think the tour and cruise line are covered. Of course, it may not keep an ambulance chaser from trying. Wasn't too long ago that Kilauea spat up a lava bomb on a tour boat. No deaths, but several people injured Nature can kick your ass when she feels the urge. sometimes something can just fall out of the sky, and you're literally a squashed bug under someone's foot. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2008/05/14/falling_helicopter_killed_student_from_kenya.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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