Two brothers from Chicago are among those who died in a volcano eruption Monday in New Zealand, according to multiple published reports.
»PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New Zealand volcano erupts
Berend Hollander, 16, and Matthew Hollander, 13, were touring White Island when it erupted, the Chicago Tribune reported. Both were pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Their parents, Martin and Barbara Hollander, are still unaccounted for, according to the Red Cross, which is assisting in recovery efforts at the scene.
Five years ago, the family of four moved to Sydney, where Martin Hollander was from, according to WLS-TV in Chicago.
“We are together with our family grieving the loss of our loved ones,” Barbara Hollander’s parents said in a statement sent to the TV station. “Our amazing daughter, Barbara Hollander and our son-in-law, Martin Hollander were a wonderful couple and parents to our grandsons.”
The death toll in the disaster reached 16 Thursday morning, with eight still missing and 31 more hospitalized, according to reports.
»PHOTOS: Volcano erupts on New Zealand's White Island
Those who survived the blast were severely burned by scalding steam and ash, reports said.
“It looked like a nuclear bomb going off,” said one witness who spoke to Radio New Zealand.
Credit: Michael Schade
Credit: Michael Schade
Officials say 47 tourists — many of whom were passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas — were on a sightseeing excursion near the desolate island known for its panoramic views.
Credit: THE NEW YORK TIMES
Credit: THE NEW YORK TIMES
Some found themselves trapped on the island just as the volcano erupted, reports said.
According to Reuters news agency, some of the missing were seen on a webcam exploring the volcano’s crater just before the eruption happened.
Helicopter flights above the area’s dangerous terrain have found no signs of survivors.
»RELATED: Newlyweds confirmed injured in New Zealand volcano eruption
What’s next
A team of eight New Zealand military specialists will land on a small volcanic island early Friday to attempt to retrieve the bodies of eight victims of an eruption that claimed eight other lives, The Associated Press reported Thursday.
New Zealand authorities said they have launched a criminal investigation. Royal Caribbean Cruises did not say whether it had known about recent warnings about volcanic activity in the area.
— Information from The Associated Press and The New York Times was used to supplement this report.
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