Five Australian survivors of a massive volcanic eruption in New Zealand have been airlifted to burns units NSW and Victoria, and more are on the way.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Four patients arrived overnight and three were taken to Sydney's Concord Hospital and one to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive critical care.
A fifth patient was flown to Essendon airport in Melbourne and transferred to The Alfred Hospital on Thursday morning.
Six others are being flown to Sydney, NSW Health said on Thursday.
"All the victims are adults and are being assessed based on clinical priority," NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said in a statement.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said the state is ready to offer more assistance.
"Our focus is on ensuring the best clinical care for those injured, and support for their immediate family during this difficult time," she said in a statement.
The evacuations are part of federal government operation activated a mass casualty response plan on Wednesday to bring to injured to burns unites NSW and Victoria, pending the approval of doctors in NZ.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the five medical evacuations had been completed and another six were pending, leaving one person in NZ.
"We will have, within the next 24 hours, only one Australian who will remain hospitalised in New Zealand," he said on Thursday.
A total of eight Australians have been confirmed dead following the explosion on the island, off the east coast of NZ's North Island.
But the official toll is expected to rise with 10 other Australians missing or missing presumed dead, Mr Morrison said.
"In the days ahead, there will be worse news, based on what I've just relayed to you," he said.
Three Royal Australian Air Force aircraft were deployed to Christchurch on Wednesday as part of the repatriation effort carrying teams of specialist aircrew and medical equipment.
The NSW, Victorian, Queensland and South Australian governments also provided aircraft.
The patients were part of a group of 24 Australians caught on White Island, also known as Whakaari, when an active volcano erupted on Monday spewing hot ash and vapour more than three kilometres into the air.
A total of 47 people, including the Australians, were on the island when the blast happened.
Australian Associated Press
