12 Dec 2019

Police plan to recover bodies from Whakaari White Island

From Lately, 10:20 pm on 12 December 2019

Highly trained Defence Force personnel with specialist equipment are preparing to retrieve bodies left on Whakaari White Island after Monday's eruption.

The police have announced that the team will fly to the island at first light tomorrow.

However, it may not be possible to retrieve all eight missing bodies, as two have not yet been sighted.

RNZ News reporter Katie Scotcher speaks with Karyn about the preparations for the morning and the response from the community in Whakatane.

Police deputy commissioner Mike Clement.

Police deputy commissioner Mike Clement. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas