Five killed, several missing as New Zealand volcano erupts

WHAKATANE, December 9

A volcano, off New Zealand’s North Island, erupted suddenly today at about 2:11 pm (0111 GMT), spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air that left at least five persons dead. 

Over 20 people have been injured. The victims were mostly tourists. Several tourists are still missing, according to reports. About 50 people, New Zealanders as well as foreign tourists, were feared to have been nearby at the time and several were seen near the rim of the crater minutes before the eruption. 

The New Zealand police said early on Tuesday they did not expect to find more survivors. A statement released by the police stated that there were no more signs of life on White Island after rescue helicopters and other aircraft conducted a number of aerial reconnaissance flights, though it was unclear how many people were unaccounted for. 

The rescue services have been unable to reach White Island as it remains too dangerous. “Police believe that anyone who could have been taken from the island alive was rescued at the time of the evacuation,” the statement said. 

Many day tours visit the island regularly, and one from the Ovation of the Seas cruise liner was there at the time.

White Island is about 50 km (30 miles) from the east coast of North Island and huge plumes were visible from the mainland. Volcanologists said the ash plume shot 12,000 feet (3,658 m) into the air. “White Island has been a disaster waiting to happen for many years,” said Ray Cas, a professor emeritus at Monash University, in comments published by the Australian Science Media Centre. “Having visited it twice, I have always felt that it was too dangerous to allow the daily tour groups that visit the uninhabited island volcano by boat and helicopter. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern landed in Whakatane late on Monday and met rescue teams. — Reuters