Whakaari/White Island eruption survivor Kelsey Waghorn has released a moving and raw book. ‘Wow ... Look at that’: The moment when scenic trip turned to disasterWaghorn hadn’t intended to be on Whakaari/White Island the day it erupted. In Surviving White Island, Waghorn writes she “wasn’t overly concerned” by the alert upgrade. On December 19, 10 days after the eruption, Waghorn was moved from Hutt Hospital’s ICU to the plastic and burns unit. Hard hats and gas masks would be handed out about 9km before embarking on Whakaari/White Island.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 20, 2026 20:30 UTC