Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Tuesday 10 december 2019
Up to 13 feared dead in volcanic eruption off New Zealand

By MARK BAKER event." Brad Scott, a vol-
NICK PERRY canologist with research
Associated Press group GNS Science, said
WHAKATANE, New Zealand the alert level on White Is-
(AP) — A volcano off the land is often raised and
New Zealand coast erupt- then dropped without any
ed Monday with a towering eruption. He said there
blast of ash and scalding hadn't been any major
steam as dozens of tourists problems with tourists visit-
were exploring its moon-like ing the island in the past,
surface, killing five people though there had been
and leaving eight others some close calls.
missing and feared dead, He would not venture an
authorities said. opinion on whether it was
Helicopter crews landed safe enough for tourists
on White Island despite the immediately before Mon-
danger and helped evacu- day's eruption.
ate the dozens of survivors, After the disaster, GeoNet
some of them critically in- raised its alert level to 4,
jured. later dropping it to 3.
Hours after the disaster, au- "In the scheme of things,
thorities said the site was still for volcanic eruptions, it is
too dangerous for rescuers This aerial photo shows White Island after its volcanic eruption in New Zealand Monday, Dec. 9, not large," said Ken Gled-
to search for the missing. 2019. hill from GeoNet. "But if you
But aircraft flew over the Associated Press were close to that, it is not
island repeatedly, and "no good."
signs of life have been seen people our boat rescued time. Some were walking The GeoNet agency, White Island is New Zea-
at any point," Prime Minister was indescribable." along the rim of the crater which monitors volcanoes land's most active cone
Jacinda Ardern said. His video showed a wall just before the eruption. In and earthquakes in New volcano. About 70% of the
The missing and injured in- of ash and steam around addition to the dead and Zealand, had raised the volcano lies under the sea.
cluded New Zealanders White Island and a helicop- missing, 31 survivors were alert level on White Island Twelve people were killed
and tourists from the U.S., ter heavily damaged and hospitalized and three oth- on Nov. 18 from 1 to 2 on on the island in 1914 when
China, Australia, Britain and covered in ash. He said ers were released, officials a scale where 5 represents it was being mined for sul-
Malaysia, the prime minis- one woman was badly in- said. Some of the victims a major eruption, noting an fur. Part of a crater wall col-
ter said. Some of those who jured but seemed "strong" were reported severely increase in sulfur dioxide lapsed and a landslide de-
were exploring the volcano by the end. burned. gas, which originates from stroyed the miners' village
were passengers from the The terrifying disaster imme- The eruption took place magma deep in the volca- and the mine itself.
Royal Caribbean cruise diately raised questions of about 2 p.m. and consisted no. It also said that volca- The remains of buildings
ship Ovation of the Seas, why people were allowed of two explosions in quick nic tremors had increased from another mining enter-
docked on neighboring to visit the island some 30 succession, the prime min- from weak to moderate prise in the 1920s are now
North Island. miles (50 kilometers) off ister said. It sent a plume strength. a tourist attraction. The is-
"My god," Michael Schade mainland New Zealand af- of steam and ash an esti- Ardern said White Island is a land became a private
tweeted as he posted ter scientists had noted an mated 12,000 feet (3,660 "very unpredictable volca- scenic reserve in 1953, and
video of the eruption. "My uptick in volcanic activity in meters) into the air. no," and questions about daily tours allow more than
family and I had gotten off recent weeks. White Island One of the boats that re- whether tourists should be 10,000 people to visit every
it 20 minutes before, were is the tip of an undersea turned from the island was visiting will have to be ad- year.
waiting at our boat about volcano. covered with ash half a dressed, "but for now, we're The island is also known by
to leave when we saw it. Authorities said 47 people meter (yard) thick, Ardern focused on those who are the indigenous Maori name
Boat ride home tending to were on the island at the said. caught up in this horrific Whakaari.q

Evo Morales’ party to seek consensus candidates in Bolivia

PAOLA FLORES a fourth straight term was (of candidates), but no.
Associated Press canceled. The date of the The time that is neces-
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — The new vote has not yet been sary needs to be taken,
political movement of for- set. Party communica- because the candidates
mer President President tions secretary Gualberto need to emerge from the
Evo Morales says it will seek Arispe said the decision social, indigenous bases,"
consensus candidates for on candidates would be Cala said. Meanwhile,
its presidential ticket in the postponed until the next two opposition figures
country's new elections gathering in a month's who had led anti-Morales
and will spend at least a time. In the meantime, protests —- Luis Fernando
month more consulting its the party will consult with Camacho and Marcos
bases. The announcement Bolivia's former President Evo Morales leaves after attending its social and indigenous Pumari — decided that
came after a gathering a press conference at the journalists' club in Mexico City, bases to find consensus they will each mount presi-
Saturday of the Move- Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019. candidates, MAS lawmak- dential candidacies and
ment Toward Socialism, Associated Press er Juan Cala said. not run together. Former
or MAS, in the central city Party leaders said Morales which were called when a "There are different cur- President Carlos Mesa still
of Cochabamba failed to would be its campaign Oct. 20 vote in which Mo- rents, some which want hasn't said who his running
decide on candidates. chief for the elections, rales' claimed victory to to rapidly name a pair mate will be. q