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New Zealand Volcano Vents Steam; Death Toll Hits 16

Associated Press

   WHAKATANE - As a New Zealand island volcano vented more steam and mud,
   authorities delayed plans to recover the bodies of victims from a
   deadly eruption and announced Thursday that the death toll rose after
   two people who had been hospitalized died.

   Volcanic tremors on White Island were intensifying to a level not seen
   since an eruption in 2016, the GeoNet seismic monitoring agency said,
   calculating a 40% to 60% chance of another eruption within the next 24
   hours.

   The deaths of the two came after authorities said they had confirmed
   that six people died and and that the bodies of eight other people are
   believed to remain on the ash-covered island. Many of those who
   survived the volcanic blast suffered horrific burns. Another 28 people
   remain hospitalized, including 23 in critical condition.

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