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New Zealand volcano: Five dead and eight missing with 'no signs of life' New Zealand volcano: PM Ardern says questions must be 'asked and answered'
(32 minutes later)
New Zealand police have announced a criminal investigation into the deaths and injuries after a volcanic explosion on White Island. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said there are questions which "must be asked" after the volcanic eruption on White Island.
Five people are confirmed dead and eight are still missing on the island, with police saying they are likely to be dead. Five people are dead and eight are missing on the island - though police say they are also likely to have died.
Police are "unsure" what state the bodies are in, saying they are likely "covered in ash". Officers earlier announced that a criminal investigation would be opened, but later revised this, saying it was "too early" to say.
The volcano erupted on Monday with visitors at the popular attraction. Some 47 people from around the world were on the island during the eruption.
Thirty-four people were rescued, with most of them still receiving treatment in hospital. Doctors treating them have said some of their burns are so severe they may not survive. "We know there will be bigger questions in relation to this event," Ms Ardern said. "These questions must be asked and they must be answered."
Thirty-four people were rescued, and most of them are still receiving treatment in hospital. Doctors said some of their burns are so severe they may not survive.
Police said they were "unsure" what state the bodies that remained on the island were in, saying they were probably "covered in ash".
The tourist attraction remains too dangerous to access, but reconnaissance flights conducted earlier on Tuesday saw no survivors.The tourist attraction remains too dangerous to access, but reconnaissance flights conducted earlier on Tuesday saw no survivors.
Among those hit by the eruption are people from New Zealand, Australia, Germany, China, Malaysia, the US and the UK, according to police. People on the island were from New Zealand, Australia, Germany, China, Malaysia, the US and the UK, according to police.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there were no signs of life on the island and that the focus was now "on recovery" and "to return loved ones", once the island was safe. Officers earlier announced that a criminal investigation would be launched. However, they revised this later, saying it was "too early to confirm whether there will be a criminal investigation".
Ms Ardern said there were no signs of life on the island and that the focus was now "on recovery".
"To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your unfathomable grief in this moment at time and in your sorrow," she said."To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your unfathomable grief in this moment at time and in your sorrow," she said.
Who was on the island?Who was on the island?
Visitors from several countries as well as locals are among the missing and injured. They were 24 visitors from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China, two from the UK, and one person from Malaysia.
Police said a total of 47 people had been on the island when the disaster happened on Monday afternoon local time.
They were 24 visitors from Australia, nine from the US, five from New Zealand, four from Germany, two from China and one person from Malaysia.
The first victim to be identified was tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman, a local of nearby town Whakatane, who according to New Zealand media has been named by his brother on Facebook.The first victim to be identified was tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman, a local of nearby town Whakatane, who according to New Zealand media has been named by his brother on Facebook.
The second person confirmed to have died is from Malaysia, the country's High Commission said.The second person confirmed to have died is from Malaysia, the country's High Commission said.
Another tour guide from New Zealand, 24-year old Tipene Maangi, is among the missing with his family telling media he had been called in on his day off. Another tour guide from New Zealand, 23-year old Tipene Maangi, is among the missing - with his family telling media he was called in on his day off.
Officials said people that have burns to more than 30% of their bodies were in hospital receiving care. Several others are also suffering from inhalation burns.Officials said people that have burns to more than 30% of their bodies were in hospital receiving care. Several others are also suffering from inhalation burns.
Two British women were among those receiving treatment, said the UK High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke.Two British women were among those receiving treatment, said the UK High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he "feared" three of the five confirmed dead were Australian.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he "feared" three of the five confirmed dead were Australian.
Mr Morrison said that 24 Australians were on board a cruise ship exploring the island in the Bay of Plenty when the volcano erupted. Of those, 13 people had been hospitalised and 11 were unaccounted for, he said. Mr Morrison said that 24 Australians were on board a cruise ship exploring the island in the Bay of Plenty when the volcano erupted. Of those, 13 were in hospital and 11 were unaccounted for, he said.
"This is a terrible tragedy, a time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney."This is a terrible tragedy, a time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney.
Ms Ardern acknowledged the apparently high number of Australian victims.Ms Ardern acknowledged the apparently high number of Australian victims.
"Can I say to our Australian family, there are no two countries closer and we are devastated at what has happened here and particularly want to acknowledge those from Australia who have been caught up in this horrific, horrific incident," she said. "Can I say to our Australian family, there are no two countries closer and we are devastated at what has happened," she said.
A web page has been set up by the New Zealand Red Cross for families to register missing loved ones.A web page has been set up by the New Zealand Red Cross for families to register missing loved ones.
What happened at the volcano?What happened at the volcano?
White Island, also called Whakaari, is the country's most active volcano. Despite that, the privately owned island is a tourist destination with frequent day tours and scenic flights available.White Island, also called Whakaari, is the country's most active volcano. Despite that, the privately owned island is a tourist destination with frequent day tours and scenic flights available.
The volcano erupted in two explosions in quick succession at around 14:11 (01:11 GMT) on Monday, sending up a thick plume of ash and smoke.The volcano erupted in two explosions in quick succession at around 14:11 (01:11 GMT) on Monday, sending up a thick plume of ash and smoke.
A live feed from the volcano showed several visitors inside the crater before the stream went dark.A live feed from the volcano showed several visitors inside the crater before the stream went dark.
According to Ms Ardern, there were two groups on the island at the time, "those who were able to be evacuated and those who were close to the eruption".According to Ms Ardern, there were two groups on the island at the time, "those who were able to be evacuated and those who were close to the eruption".
Some survivors were rescued by boat in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, but police said it was too dangerous to mount a rescue operation.Some survivors were rescued by boat in the immediate aftermath of the explosion, but police said it was too dangerous to mount a rescue operation.
But later private helicopter rescue missions picked up several people from the island.But later private helicopter rescue missions picked up several people from the island.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Ardern paid tribute to helicopter crews who had flown to the island on Monday to bring people out despite the dangers.Speaking on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Ardern paid tribute to helicopter crews who had flown to the island on Monday to bring people out despite the dangers.
"I want to acknowledge the courageous decision made by first responders and those pilots who in their immediate rescue efforts made an incredibly brave decision under extraordinarily dangerous circumstances in an attempt to get people out," she said."I want to acknowledge the courageous decision made by first responders and those pilots who in their immediate rescue efforts made an incredibly brave decision under extraordinarily dangerous circumstances in an attempt to get people out," she said.
Since then, emergency services have been unable to search the area because of dangerous conditions, with plumes of smoke and ash continuing to rise above the volcano the day after it erupted.Since then, emergency services have been unable to search the area because of dangerous conditions, with plumes of smoke and ash continuing to rise above the volcano the day after it erupted.
Authorities on Tuesday said there was a 50% chance of a second eruption of the same size or smaller in the next 24 hours but that it was unlikely there'd be a bigger eruption that would affect the mainland.Authorities on Tuesday said there was a 50% chance of a second eruption of the same size or smaller in the next 24 hours but that it was unlikely there'd be a bigger eruption that would affect the mainland.