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NZ most active volcano erupts at White Island, rescue operation underway amid reports of injuries NZ most active volcano erupts at White Island, rescue operation underway amid reports of injuries (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
(32 minutes later)
A volcano has erupted in New Zealand off the coast of Bay of Plenty, sending plumes of smoke and ash in the air. A rescue effort has been launched amid reports that around 50 people might have been on or near the island.A volcano has erupted in New Zealand off the coast of Bay of Plenty, sending plumes of smoke and ash in the air. A rescue effort has been launched amid reports that around 50 people might have been on or near the island.
What looks like a group of people down the crater was captured on the White Island Crater Rim webcam shortly before the explosions were reported at the island.What looks like a group of people down the crater was captured on the White Island Crater Rim webcam shortly before the explosions were reported at the island.
The images that have been circulating online were taken at around 2.10 pm, while first reports of an ongoing volcanic activity came about only a minute later. The images that have been circulating online were taken at around 2.10 pm, while first reports of an ongoing volcanic activity came about only a minute later. 
Whakatane mayor Judy Turner has confirmed that several people apparently have been hurt in the explosion.Whakatane mayor Judy Turner has confirmed that several people apparently have been hurt in the explosion.
"I've got limited understanding at present other than there's been an eruption, that there have been some people who were on the island at the time, who have had some injuries,” she told RNZ."I've got limited understanding at present other than there's been an eruption, that there have been some people who were on the island at the time, who have had some injuries,” she told RNZ.
St John, a charitable organization that provides ambulance service throughout New Zealand, reported that seven helicopters had been dispatched to the island to fetch the injured. Up to 20 people might be in need of urgent medical care, a spokeswoman said.St John, a charitable organization that provides ambulance service throughout New Zealand, reported that seven helicopters had been dispatched to the island to fetch the injured. Up to 20 people might be in need of urgent medical care, a spokeswoman said.
“We’re expecting burns, there could be respiratory issues, there could be head injuries, fractures, etc. from rocks or stones, we really don’t know at this stage," the organization's director of operations Norma Lane told Newstalk ZB.“We’re expecting burns, there could be respiratory issues, there could be head injuries, fractures, etc. from rocks or stones, we really don’t know at this stage," the organization's director of operations Norma Lane told Newstalk ZB.
Commenting on the explosion, NZ PM Jacinda Ardern said that the authorities estimate that about 100 people might have been on or in the vicinity of the island, and some of them are still missing.Commenting on the explosion, NZ PM Jacinda Ardern said that the authorities estimate that about 100 people might have been on or in the vicinity of the island, and some of them are still missing.
"At this stage we believe around 100 people were around or on the island at this stage not all of them are accounted for,” she said, according to the New Zealand Herald."At this stage we believe around 100 people were around or on the island at this stage not all of them are accounted for,” she said, according to the New Zealand Herald.
The PM noted that rescues have already airlifted some of the injured, who are now being transported to the shore.   The PM noted that rescues have already airlifted some of the injured, who are now being transported to the shore.   
Police, however, later lowered the number of those who might have been stranded on or near the island from 100 to fewer than 50. At least one person has been critically injured, police said. Police, however, later lowered the number of those who might have been stranded on or near the island from 100 to fewer than 50. At least one person has been critically injured, they said.
The majority of those who have been affected in the eruption are said to be tourists that arrived to the island aboard the cruise ship Ovation of the Sea, the largest cruise vessel on the route.The majority of those who have been affected in the eruption are said to be tourists that arrived to the island aboard the cruise ship Ovation of the Sea, the largest cruise vessel on the route.
Despite being the country’s most active volcano, prone to sudden eruptions, the White Island has remained a popular tourist attraction, luring crowds of eager visitors every day with boat and walking tours.Despite being the country’s most active volcano, prone to sudden eruptions, the White Island has remained a popular tourist attraction, luring crowds of eager visitors every day with boat and walking tours.
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