This archive report was first published on 14 December 2019.
On December 14, 2019, a devastating volcanic eruption occurred on White Island in New Zealand, claiming the lives of at least 16 people and injuring 28 others.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called for a minute's silence to be observed at 2.11pm on Monday in honour of the victims, stating, "Together we can express our sorrow for those who have died and been hurt, and our support for their grieving families and friends."
The minute's silence was to start exactly one week after the eruption began, on December 9, 2019.
Scientists monitoring the island estimated a 35-50 percent chance of another eruption occurring, with the likelihood decreasing over the weekend.
Elite soldiers conducted a daring rescue on Friday, retrieving the remains of six people under threat of another blast.
Most of the people on the island were tourists from Australia, the United States, Britain, China, Germany, Malaysia, and New Zealand who were on a day trip to see the natural wonder.
