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New Zealand volcano: one dead and 'likely to be more' after eruption on White Island – live New Zealand volcano: five confirmed dead after eruption on White Island – live
(32 minutes later)
At least one person has died after volcano erupted suddenly while dozens of tourists were on the island. Follow the latest updates More than 20 Australians were on the island when it erupted, but it remains too dangerous for police and rescue to access. Follow the latest updates
New Zealand police have just confirmed there are five people who have died.
A spokesman says that police and rescue have still not been able to access to island, after advice from volcano experts. This means police are still unsure how many people remain on the island.
“The physical environment is unsafe for us to return to the island,” he says
“A number of other people have been taken to hospital. A number of people have burns as a result of the eruption. It is still too early for police to confirm how many people are involved...including how many are still on the island.”
There will be another briefing from NZ authorities in 15 minutes.
More than 20 Australians were on Whakaari/White Island, as part of a tour group, when it erupted, Guardian Australia can confirm.More than 20 Australians were on Whakaari/White Island, as part of a tour group, when it erupted, Guardian Australia can confirm.
Their condition is unknown, and it is unclear how many were rescued, and how many remain on the island currently.Their condition is unknown, and it is unclear how many were rescued, and how many remain on the island currently.
New Zealand Police said fewer than 50 people, in total, were on the island when it erupted. 23 have since been taken to shore. But it is currently too dangerous for police and rescue to visit the island, and up to 27 people remain.New Zealand Police said fewer than 50 people, in total, were on the island when it erupted. 23 have since been taken to shore. But it is currently too dangerous for police and rescue to visit the island, and up to 27 people remain.
Prime minister Scott Morrison also earlier confirmed that “Australians have been caught up in this terrible event”.Prime minister Scott Morrison also earlier confirmed that “Australians have been caught up in this terrible event”.
Our updated news story is here:Our updated news story is here:
Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, has offered emergency support to New Zealand and Jacinda Ardern.Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, has offered emergency support to New Zealand and Jacinda Ardern.
He also confirms Australians have been “caught up in” the eruption.He also confirms Australians have been “caught up in” the eruption.
“A terrible tragedy is unfolding in NZ after the volcano eruption on Whakaari/White Island,” he says. “Australians have been caught up in this terrible event and we are working to determine their wellbeing.“A terrible tragedy is unfolding in NZ after the volcano eruption on Whakaari/White Island,” he says. “Australians have been caught up in this terrible event and we are working to determine their wellbeing.
“I have been in touch with Jacinda Ardern to offer our full support with whatever they need and our authorities are working closely together. I will be staying in direct contact as events continue to unfold.”“I have been in touch with Jacinda Ardern to offer our full support with whatever they need and our authorities are working closely together. I will be staying in direct contact as events continue to unfold.”
The damaged helicopter shown in footage of White Island belongs to Volcanic Air, a tour company based in Rotorua.The damaged helicopter shown in footage of White Island belongs to Volcanic Air, a tour company based in Rotorua.
The pilot and four passengers were unharmed and returned to the mainland via boat on Monday afternoon, a company spokesman said.The pilot and four passengers were unharmed and returned to the mainland via boat on Monday afternoon, a company spokesman said.
“Volcanic Air has confirmed it had a helicopter on Whakaari/White Island at the time it erupted this afternoon,” a spokesman said. “Five people had flown to the island in the helicopter, but all are accounted for and have arrived back in Whakatane by boat. The company has enacted its emergency response plan and says its priority was looking after the pilot and passengers.”“Volcanic Air has confirmed it had a helicopter on Whakaari/White Island at the time it erupted this afternoon,” a spokesman said. “Five people had flown to the island in the helicopter, but all are accounted for and have arrived back in Whakatane by boat. The company has enacted its emergency response plan and says its priority was looking after the pilot and passengers.”
Volcanic Air has been running charter tours to White Island since 1992.Volcanic Air has been running charter tours to White Island since 1992.
Ross Dawson is a director of Adventure Helicopters in Tauranga. One of his pilots flew over the western end of the island with a convoy of media on board soon after the eruption.Ross Dawson is a director of Adventure Helicopters in Tauranga. One of his pilots flew over the western end of the island with a convoy of media on board soon after the eruption.
“They couldn’t see much from the air apart from a lot of steam and volcanic ash,” Dawson told The Guardian. The pilot’s summary was that it was “not good.”“They couldn’t see much from the air apart from a lot of steam and volcanic ash,” Dawson told The Guardian. The pilot’s summary was that it was “not good.”
Aviation authorities have since implemented a 26 nautical mile no fly zone around the island to help rescue crews. White Island is 22 nautical miles offshore.Aviation authorities have since implemented a 26 nautical mile no fly zone around the island to help rescue crews. White Island is 22 nautical miles offshore.
The island last erupted in 2016, according to the New Zealand science agency GeoNet, in a “short-lived” burst that happened in the evening and did not injure anyone.The island last erupted in 2016, according to the New Zealand science agency GeoNet, in a “short-lived” burst that happened in the evening and did not injure anyone.
Explosive eruptions, followed by bursts of ash, happened in 2012 and 2013.Explosive eruptions, followed by bursts of ash, happened in 2012 and 2013.
In its longest episode, White Island erupted from December 1975 to September 2000.In its longest episode, White Island erupted from December 1975 to September 2000.
A sulphur mining venture began on the island in 1885, according to GeoNet, but this was stopped abruptly in 1914 when a landslide destroyed the sulphur mine and miners’ village. 12 people died.A sulphur mining venture began on the island in 1885, according to GeoNet, but this was stopped abruptly in 1914 when a landslide destroyed the sulphur mine and miners’ village. 12 people died.
Now, a visit to the miners’ buildings are part of a daily tour on the island, to the island, which is a popular attraction in a sunny, beachfront region attracts tourists, especially in the summer.Now, a visit to the miners’ buildings are part of a daily tour on the island, to the island, which is a popular attraction in a sunny, beachfront region attracts tourists, especially in the summer.
10,000 tourists a year visit the island, which is a popular tourist attraction in a region famed for its beaches and sunlight hours.10,000 tourists a year visit the island, which is a popular tourist attraction in a region famed for its beaches and sunlight hours.
Professor Richard Arculus, a volcanologist from the Australian National University, says White Island had been “showing signs of unrest for the past few weeks”.Professor Richard Arculus, a volcanologist from the Australian National University, says White Island had been “showing signs of unrest for the past few weeks”.
“The eruption this afternoon was a short-lived explosive event. In addition to gases, fragmented rock particles (ash) rose ~4000m above the vent”.“The eruption this afternoon was a short-lived explosive event. In addition to gases, fragmented rock particles (ash) rose ~4000m above the vent”.
Some more photos from the scene – showing tour operators rescuing people roughly 15 minutes after the eruption.Some more photos from the scene – showing tour operators rescuing people roughly 15 minutes after the eruption.
One person has been killed, and that figure is expected to rise, after a volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s Whakaari / White Island.One person has been killed, and that figure is expected to rise, after a volcanic eruption on New Zealand’s Whakaari / White Island.
Up to 27 people are still unaccounted for and the island is too dangerous for police and rescue to access. Police deputy commissioner John Tims said there “are likely to be more” casualties.Up to 27 people are still unaccounted for and the island is too dangerous for police and rescue to access. Police deputy commissioner John Tims said there “are likely to be more” casualties.
Fewer than 50 people were on the island at the time of the eruption, and 23 have been taken off.Fewer than 50 people were on the island at the time of the eruption, and 23 have been taken off.
30 to 38 of those people were passengers on the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, as confirmed by the CEO of the New Zealand Cruise Association.30 to 38 of those people were passengers on the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, as confirmed by the CEO of the New Zealand Cruise Association.
Seven people, of the 23 taken off the island, are critically injured.Seven people, of the 23 taken off the island, are critically injured.
The eruption occurred about 2:11pm local time, 48km off the coast of the Bay of Plenty, on the north island.The eruption occurred about 2:11pm local time, 48km off the coast of the Bay of Plenty, on the north island.
Whakaari / White Island is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, and is a popular tourist destination and scientific research site. It last experienced a short-lived eruption in 2016.Whakaari / White Island is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, and is a popular tourist destination and scientific research site. It last experienced a short-lived eruption in 2016.
Owner of Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, has said the ship will stay in port overnight.Owner of Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, has said the ship will stay in port overnight.
“We can confirm that a number of our guests were touring the island today,” it said in a statement. “We do not have any additional details to share at this time.“We can confirm that a number of our guests were touring the island today,” it said in a statement. “We do not have any additional details to share at this time.
“Ovation of the Seas will remain overnight until we learn more about the situation. We will offer all possible assistance to our guests and local authorities. Please keep all those affected in your prayers.”“Ovation of the Seas will remain overnight until we learn more about the situation. We will offer all possible assistance to our guests and local authorities. Please keep all those affected in your prayers.”
A still from one of the videos of the island shows a helicopter on its side.A still from one of the videos of the island shows a helicopter on its side.