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Another person has died from injuries caused by a volcano eruption in New Zealand more than a month ago, bringing the total number killed to 21, police have said.
The victim – who has not yet been publicly identified – died in an Auckland hospital on Tuesday night, according to John Tim, a deputy commissioner.
There were 47 people visiting the tourist destination of White Island when the volcano erupted on 9 December , initially killing 13 people.
Eight more people have died in hospitals in New Zealand and Australia in the weeks following the eruption, which saw scores hospitalised for severe burns.
Experts say super-heated water that burst from beneath the crater’s surface caused the injuries.
New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photosShow all 20 1 /20New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos Smoke from the volcanic eruption of Whakaari, also known as White Island. New Zealand police said the blast had left five people dead, but that number will now rise to include those people who were still on the island when it erupted
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos Emergency services attend to an injured person
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos Thick smoke from the volcanic eruption
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos The volcano on New Zealand's White Island spewing steam and ash moments after it erupted
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos White Island Tour operators rescuing people minutes after the volcano erupted
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos Thick smoke from the volcanic eruption from a distance of a vessel
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos An aerial photo shows White Island after its volcanic eruption
New Zealand Herald via AP
New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos An aerial view shows smoke bellowing above the crater of Whakaari
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos Emergency services attend to an injured person arriving at the Whakatane Airfield
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos A wreckage of a helicopter amid ash minutes after the volcano on New Zealand's White Island erupted
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos SCH via Reuters
SCH via Reuters
New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos
EPA
New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos An aerial view shows hikers walking on the crater rim of Whakaari, also known as White Island, shortly before the volcano erupted
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos Emergency services at Whakatane Airport
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos A rescue helicopter arrving at the airport
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos White Island (Whakaari) volcano, as it erupts
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New Zealand volcano: Eruption in photos White Island (Whakaari) volcano, shortly before erupting
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Some victims saw burns cover large portions of their bodies or damage their lungs.
Many of those killed and injured were Australian tourists who had been travelling aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
Two British women were also hospitalised for injuries.
One of the people who died in the weeks after the eruption was an American woman, Mayuari Singh, whose husband was also wounded.
New Zealand authorities are investigating the circumstances around the disaster.
Many have questioned why tourists were allowed on the island after its alert level was raised by authorities three weeks before the eruption.
Mr Tims, the police deputy commissioner, said the latest victim died at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital.
Their identity will be revealed once their wider family has been informed, he said.
Associated Press
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