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New Zealand Rescuers Fail to Find Bodies of Last two Victims of Volcano Eruption

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This photo released by the New Zealand Defence Force shows an operation to recover bodies from White Island after a volcanic eruption in Whakatane, New Zealand, Dec. 13, 2019.
This photo released by the New Zealand Defence Force shows an operation to recover bodies from White Island after a volcanic eruption in Whakatane, New Zealand, Dec. 13, 2019.

The confirmed death toll from the volcano eruption on White Island in New Zealand has risen to 16 after an Australian victim died in a hospital in Sydney.

A land search Sunday of the island failed to locate the bodies of the two people who remain missing.

Police Commissioner Mike Clement said, "The stream where the bodies were last seen . . . runs all the way through to the sea," adding there is "every chance" the two corpses are in the water.

"The rescue teams are frustrated," Clement said. "We understand completely how frustrating it is for loved ones who want the bodies back."

Divers who searched Saturday for the two missing people faced "unique and challenging conditions," Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims said. The divers had "between zero and two meters visibility" in water contaminated with ash and other fallout from the volcano's eruption.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media in the aftermath of the eruption of White Island volcano, in Whakatane, New Zealand, Dec. 13, 2019.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media in the aftermath of the eruption of White Island volcano, in Whakatane, New Zealand, Dec. 13, 2019.

Forty-seven people were on the island when the volcano exploded, including 24 Australians, with the rest from Britain, China, Germany, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States. Some of the victims were passengers from a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean.

At least 27 initial survivors suffered burns over more than 71% of their bodies. Health officials have said they need an extra 1.2 million square centimeters of skin to provide grafts for the victims.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has called for a minute's silence Monday at 2:11 PM to honor the victims, exactly one week after the eruption.

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