Jason Griffiths, Karla Mathews and Richard Elzer. Photo / Supplied
Jason Griffiths, Karla Mathews and Richard Elzer. Photo / Supplied
KEY POINTS:
Eight people confirmed dead, autopsies and formal identification continues today
Nine missing or presumed dead, with eight thought to be on island
30 in hospital - 8 in Christchurch, 7 in Middlemore Hospital, 6 in Waikato, 4 in Hutt Valley, 2 in Auckland City, 2 in Tauranga Base Hospital and1 in Wellington
One injured Australian due to fly from Wellington to an Australian hospital overnight
More Australian patients expected to be flown to hospitals across Tasman in coming days
47 people were on or near the island when the volcano erupted - 24 Australians, nine from the US, five Kiwis, four Germans, two Chinese, two from UK and one from Malaysia
Three more Australians have been confirmed dead following the devastating White Island volcano eruption, bringing the total number of Australians killed in the disaster to seven.
Jason Griffiths, 33, and couple Karla Mathews, 32, and Richard Elzer, 32, all from Coffs Harbour, were confirmed dead in a joint statement issued by their friends and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Wednesday night, reports news.com.au.
The trio had been holidaying with a group of friends on the Royal Carribean Ovation of the Seas cruise ship when the volcano erupted.
"On the 4th of December 2019, we embarked upon a cruise as a group of nine close friends who were looking forward to a wonderful holiday together," the statement said.
"On the 9th of December 2019, we were devastated by the news that three of our friends were visiting White Island on a shore excursion during the time of the eruption.
"Some time later, we discovered that two of our friends, Richard Elzer and Karla Mathews, were still on the island. We have been advised that there are no signs of life on the island.
