New Zealand Volcano: 186,000 Square Inches Of Skin Grafts Ordered For Victims Of Eruption

The damage done to the victims of the White Island volcanic eruption has been tragic and extensive. Roughly 186,000 square inches of skin grafts were ordered from the U.S. by New Zealand in order to treat burns caused by the eruption at the popular tourist destination on Monday.

Grafts are needed for the 28 survivors who were rescued from the disaster and airlifted to the mainland. Of these victims, 23 were said to be in critical condition. Furthermore, according to surgeon Dr. John Kenealy of Counties Makanau, most of the burns sustained were severe and some victims had burns on 90-95% of their bodies.

“This number of burns is unprecedented in New Zealand, and in the rest of the world,” Kenealy said.

“We currently have stock but are urgently sourcing additional supplies to meet the demand for dressing and temporary skin grafts,” Dr. Pete Watson of Counties Makanau said in a statement, further explaining how the gases from the eruption made treating the burns more complicated. “This has necessitated more rapid surgical treatment of these burns than is the usual case for thermal-only burns.”

Treatment for some patients may take months, according to Watson.

Forty-seven people were confirmed to have been on the island at the time of the eruption. Eight deaths have been confirmed with eight more still missing.

Further search efforts were postponed after an additional eruption of steam and mud on Wednesday.