The government has sent three Royal Australian Air Force planes to New Zealand to bring home Australians caught up in a deadly volcano explosion.
The RAAF aircraft – a C-130 Hercules from RAAF Base Richmond and two C-17 Globemasters from RAAF Base Amberley - are expected to bring home 10 injured Australians to NSW and Victoria in the next 24 hours.
A doctor would still have to give the patients the green light to travel based on the severity of their injuries.
Medical equipment, including stretchers are loaded on board the a C-130J Hercules as part of the repatriation mission. Source: Royal Australian Air Force
The planes were dispatched as part of a repatriation plan worked out between the Australian and New Zealand governments.
NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have also provided aircraft.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement on Wednesday, saying it had been another difficult day for those involved in the White Island eruption.
Three RAAF aircraft will take part in the repatriation mission to New Zealand in the wake of the volcanic eruption. Source: Royal Australian Air Force
"Our hearts go out to all of the Australians and their families caught up in this tragedy, and our Kiwi cousins across the Tasman," he said.
"This is a time of immense grief and great sorrow for everyone involved."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced RAAF aircraft have been sent to NZ. Source: AAP
Mr Morrison said all of the aircraft were equipped with medical equipment.
At least four Australians have been confirmed dead as a result of the eruption, with the latest being Adelaide man Gavin Dallow, 53, whose body was identified by New Zealand police on Wednesday.
Of the 47 people on or near the island at the time of the eruption, 24 were Australians aged between 13 to 72.
More Australians remain unaccounted for, though figures are uncertain, and 13 are injured.
Some of the injured have severe burns to more than 30 per cent of their body.
