New Zealand volcano: Five people dead after White Island eruption, police say

At least 10 people still missing

Five people have died in the White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand, police have said.

Emergency workers say they are unable to access the island, located in the Bay of Plenty, because it is unstable.

White Island exploded with ash and steam on Monday while some 50 people were nearby, authorities said earlier.

Among those caught up in the eruption were New Zealanders and tourists, including from Australia.

At least 10 people are still unaccounted for, police said in a press conference.

St John medical responders said they believed there were 20 people on the island who were injured and in need of medical treatment.

Police deputy commissioner John Tims earlier said that 23 people had been taken off the island, some of whom were injured, and added that the figure included the five deceased people.

One tourist said he had been on the crater rim just minutes before the explosion.

“My family and I had gotten off it 20 minutes before, were waiting at our boat about to leave when we saw it,” he said on Twitter.

Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, said she was travelling to the region late on Monday. She said the incident appeared to be “very significant” and added: “All our thoughts are with those affected.”

White Island lies northeast of the town of Tauranga on North Island, one of New Zealand’s two main islands. It is also known by its Maori name, Whakaari.

Monday’s explosion was the first fatal eruption on White Island since 1914, when 10 sulphur miners were killed in a blast.

Additional reporting by agencies