White Island volcano erupts: what we know so far
Five confirmed dead and more unaccounted for after eruption in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty
Five people have been confirmed dead, a figure that is expected to rise, after a volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s Whakaari/White Island.
Eight people are missing and 31 are in hospital.
The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said New Zealanders and tourists from Australia, the US, Britain, China and Malaysia were among the missing and injured.
Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, has said 24 Australians were on White Island – 13 of who are in hospital and 11 unaccounted for, including up to three of the five confirmed dead
Police and rescue crews have still not been able to access the island after advice from volcano experts. “The physical environment is unsafe for us to return to the island,” said John Tims, the deputy commissioner of New Zealand police.
No one was hurt in a damaged helicopter that was seen in footage after the explosion.
The eruption occurred at about 2.11pm local time, 30 miles off the coast of the Bay of Plenty, on the North Island.
Whakaari/White Island, New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, is a popular tourist destination and scientific research site. It previously had a short-lived eruption in 2016.
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