- New Zealand Police confirmed in a statement on Tuesday night local time that five people are dead, and eight people remain missing and are presumed dead after one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes erupted on Monday.
- The death toll is expected rise as police said that "no signs of life have been seen at any point" by helicopters and rescue aircrafts flying over the Island.
- Police released the nationalities of 47 people who were on the island when the volcano erupted, which included 24 Australians, two Chinese nationals, four Germans, one Malaysian national, five New Zealanders, two people from the UK, and nine people from the US.
- New Zealand's geological monitoring agency, GeoNet, said the eruption began at around 2:11 p.m. local time on Whakaari, also known as White Island.
- According to the agency, the volcano sent ash plumes 12,000 feet into the air.
- Police added that it was too early to confirm whether there will also be a criminal investigation on the circumstances which allowed large numbers of people to visit the volcano before its eruption.
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New Zealand Police confirmed in a statement on Tuesday night local time that five people are dead, and eight people remain missing and are presumed dead after one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes erupted on Monday.
The death toll is expected rise as police said that "no signs of life have been seen at any point" by helicopters and rescue aircrafts flying over the Island.
The eruption occurred at Whakaari, also known as White Island, which is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the east coast of country's North Island.
According to New Zealand's geological monitoring agency, GeoNet, the eruption began at around 2:11 p.m. local time.
Activity at the volcano diminished after the short-lived eruption.
Authorities said in a press conference on Tuesday that 31 people are being treated for burns, including 27 who have burns on at least 30 percent of their bodies.
Police say they are still working to confirm the identities of those who have died and who are injured.
"The nature of the injuries that people have suffered is severe and means identifying them is a complex matter," police said.
Authorities were continuing the recovery operation on the island and would deploy drones in order to determine gas levels in the atmosphere. Windy conditions on the island prevented drones from being deployed earlier in the day.
Police say they expected more bodies to be discovered once the rescue operation was able to be carried out.
"We understand people's desire to recover their loved ones and we are working around the clock to get onto the island so we can recover them as soon as possible," police said. "Based on the effects of the eruption on the bodies, this recovery will need to be handled with expert skill and care."
Police released the nationalities of 47 people who were on the island when the volcano erupted, which included 24 Australians, two Chinese nationals, four Germans, one Malaysian national, five New Zealanders, two people from the UK, and nine people from the US.
Police added that it was too early to confirm whether there will also be a criminal investigation on the circumstances which allowed large numbers of people to visit the volcano before its eruption.
According to GNS Science, New Zealand's geoscience agency, there is a 50% chance of a smaller eruption over the next 24 hour period.
Whakaari/White Island is erupting. More information soon. pic.twitter.com/B5m4BSa4bt
— GeoNet (@geonet) December 9, 2019
Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said that about 100 people were believed to have been on the island when the volcano erupted, according to the New Zealand Herald.
It is not clear how many of these estimated 100 people were rescued prior to the helicopters being sent over the Island.
Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims said on Monday that the volcano is currently too unstable for rescuers to enter.
"It is important that we consider the health and safety of those who are going to rescue those on the island," said Tims.
Prime Minister Arden expressed her condolences for those affected at a cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon.
"All our thoughts are with those affected at this stage," Ardern said.
New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency said that the immediate vicinity of the volcano remains hazardous.
GeoNet said the volcano sent ash plumes 12,000 feet into the air.
A no-fly zone has been established above the island.
According to GNS Science, New Zealand's geoscience agency, White Island has been New Zealand's most continuously active volcano for the last 40 years.
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