Five Australians severely injured in a massive volcanic eruption in New Zealand have been flown home for treatment.
Four patients arrived overnight and three were taken to Sydney's Concord Hospital and one to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive critical care.
A fifth patient was flown to Essendon airport in Melbourne and transferred to The Alfred Hospital on Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said another seven patients are expected to be repatriated in the next 24 hours.
NSW Health also confirmed its hospitals were preparing to treat 10 NSW residents injured in the disaster.
"All the victims are adults and are being assessed based on clinical priority," NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said in a statement.
Three Royal Australian Air Force planes were deployed to Christchurch on Wednesday as part of the repatriation effort.
Dec. 9, 2019, photo byMichael Schade rescuers' boat leaving White Island following the eruption of the volcano, New Zealand. (Michael Schade via AAP) Source: Michael Schade
The NSW, Victorian, Queensland and South Australian governments have also provided aircraft.
The effort is being coordinated by the federal agency Emergency Management Australia.
The first people repatriated were part of a group of 24 Australians caught on White Island, also known as Whakaari, when an active volcano erupted on Monday spewing hot ash and vapour more than three kilometres into the air.
On Thursday morning, nine Australians had been confirmed dead or presumed dead following the explosion on the island, off the east coast of NZ's North Island.
The remainder were either in hospitals in NZ in critical condition suffering severe burns or unaccounted for.
The confirmed dead or presumed dead are: Sydney brothers Matthew (13) and Berend (16) Hollander; Adelaide man Gavin Dallow, 53, whose body was identified by New Zealand police on Wednesday; Coffs Harbour couple Karla Mathews, 32, and Richard Elzer, 32, and their friend Jason Griffiths who died in hospital; and Brisbane mum Julie Richards, 47, and her daughter Jessica, 20.
A total of 47 people, including the Australians, were on the island when the blast happened.
"This is a time of immense grief and great sorrow for everyone involved," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
