A volcanic eruption in New Zealand left at least five people confirmed dead and more presumed to be dead Monday on a volcanic island off the country’s northeast coast.
Police said White Island, also called Whakaari, is still too dangerous for search and rescue crews but that multiple aircrafts have flown over since the eruption and seen “no signs of life have been seen at any point.”
Fewer than 50 people were on the island when it erupted and 23, including the five confirmed dead, have been evacuated, said Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims.
“Police believe that anyone who could have been taken from the island alive was rescued at the time of the evacuation,” police said in a news release.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called eruption “very significant” and traveled to the area Monday. “All our thoughts are with those affected,” she said.
Here’s what we know now:
What happened on White Island?
According to GeoNet, which tracks volcanic activity in New Zealand, the eruption occurred just after 2 p.m. local time.Sponsored by U.S. CellularIs it fair for the boss to send an email that ruins your weekend? It dependsTechnology, from texts to Slack, allows employers and employees to keep in constant contact. But when should off hours communication be off limits?See More →
The eruption was “short-lived” and sent an ash plume soaring about 12,000 feet above the volcano’s vent, according to GeoNet volcanologist Geoff Kilgour.
Kilgour wrote that volcanic activity on the island has since diminished.
“In the scheme of things, for volcanic eruptions, it is not large,” said GeoNet’s Ken Gledhill. “But if you were close to that, it is not good.”
Videos and photos shared on social media show massive plumes of smoke coming off the island.
My god, White Island volcano in New Zealand erupted today for first time since 2001. My family and I had gotten off it 20 minutes before, were waiting at our boat about to leave when we saw it. Boat ride home tending to people our boat rescued was indescribable. #whiteisland34.4K9:27 AM – Dec 9, 2019 · White IslandTwitter Ads info and privacy17.9K people are talking about this
Both New Zealanders and tourists were among the dead, missing or injured, said Tims. Many of the 18 survivors were injured, some with severe burns, he said.
Police said they were working to confirm the exact number of deceased but that “we do not believe there are any survivors on the island.”
A Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, was on the island at the time, the company confirmed. The ship was to sail to Wellington on Monday, but instead would remain in the Tauranga port overnight to learn more, the company said.
Global News 
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