New Zealand Volcano: Five dead and 'no signs of life' after eruption

9 December 2019, 05:27

Smoke and ash billow from the volcano
Smoke and ash billow from the volcano. Picture: GeoNet
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

At least five people have died after a volcano erupted on a popular tourist island in New Zealand with rescue services unable to access the area.

Police in the country said that they did not believe there were any survivors on White Island following the earlier eruption.

Just after midnight, officers said in a statement that after reconnaissance flights over the island, “no signs of life had been seen at any point”.

“Police believe that anyone who could have been taken from the island alive was rescued at the time of the evacuation,” a statement said.

“Based on the information we have, we do not believe there are any survivors on the island.”

A webcam from inside the crater showed tourists inside the rim of the volcano just seconds before the eruption.

Local police said at least one of those evacuated from the island had been critically injured.

One witness, Michael Schade, said he and his family got off the island 20 minutes before the eruption.

Mr Schade said they were waiting for their boat ride home when it happened, and that passenger service then helped rescue people, he branded the situation as "indescribable."

Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims has confirmed that one person has died.

Officers said, "five people are now confirmed to have died in the White Island volcanic eruption."

A statement from police said: "Our sincere condolences are with their family and friends.

"We are continuing to work as quickly as possible, through a number of channels of information, to confirm exact numbers of those involved, including those who remain on the island.

"A number of people have been injured and taken to Whakātane hospital and Middlemore hospital [in Auckland].

"Both New Zealanders and overseas tourists are believed to be involved.

"Police are currently taking advice from GeoNet experts, who have advised that due to the current risk environment, emergency services remain unable to access the island.

"We are reassessing as information and advice is received, however police will not be in a position to access the island tonight."

Just one week ago geological hazard monitoring website GeoNet warned "the volcano may be entering a period where eruptive activity is more likely than normal," although they added "the current level of activity does not pose a direct hazard to visitors."

The charred remains of a helicopter on the island
The charred remains of a helicopter on the island. Picture: Twitter/Michael Schade

Labour MP Tamati Coffey spoke to reporters outside White Island Tours in Whakatāne, the local MP said: "Needless to say it's pretty emotional there are people who are in tears - there's an element of people in shell shock," he says.

"Somebody just relayed to me that as they were getting on the boat to leave. They got to leave but the people on the boat behind them perhaps weren't quite so lucky.

"There's talk about burns - the details are quite sketchy at the moment… the mood is incredibly sombre, lots of hugging and crying.

"It's still very real - it's still unfolding. I don't know any of the high-level details but here on the ground it's very real."

People awaiting rescue on the island
People awaiting rescue on the island. Picture: Twitter/Michael Schade

A live feed from the volcano showed a group of visitors inside the crater before images went dark after the eruption.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Obit Richard Perry

Richard Perry, record producer behind You’re So Vain and other hits, dies at 82

Medics surround an ambulance

Two dead in gang attack on journalists covering Haiti hospital reopening

Donald Trump

Trump renews unsuccessful calls from first term for US to buy Greenland from Denmark

Sophie Hediger

Olympic snowboarding star Sophie Hediger dies in avalanche in Swiss Alps

Sebastian Zapeta, accused of setting a woman on fire inside a New York City subway train, appears in court

Illegal migrant accused of fatally setting woman on fire on New York City subway appears in court

Subway Burning

Man accused in burning death of a woman on New York subway appears in court

Netherlands Israel Fan Violence

Amsterdam court sentences five men over violence linked to Ajax-Maccabi game

Michael Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Ex-Abercrombie CEO’s dementia ‘may leave him incompetent to face sex charges’

President Biden Speaks On The 30th Anniversary Of The Family And Medical Leave Act At The White House

Former US president Bill Clinton discharged from hospital - and will be home for Christmas

Bill Clinton speaks during the Democratic National Convention (Paul Sancya/AP)

Bill Clinton out of hospital after being treated for flu

Sean Combs at the 65th international film festival, Cannes.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sued by former assistant claiming star forced her to clean up after ‘Wild King Night’ parties

Indian film director Shyam Benegal (Mahesh Kumar A/AP)

Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies aged 90

Israel Palestinians Christmas

Bethlehem set to mark second subdued Christmas during war in Gaza

Scientists believe that Yana was one year old when she died. (Michil Yakovlev, Mammoth Museum at the Russian North-Eastern Federal University telegram channel via AP)

Baby mammoth preserved for 50,000 years is unveiled in Siberia

Turkey Explosion

Explosion at Turkish ammunition factory kills 11 people

US American Airlines

American Airlines cleared to fly after technical issue grounded planes