New Zealand volcano eruption: Two British women among those injured as police say ‘no sign of life’ on White Island
Around 50 people were on island in Bay of Plenty when explosion happened
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Your support makes all the difference.Two British women are among those injured by a volcanic eruption in New Zealand, which has left at least five people dead and 31 in hospital with several still missing.
There are also five people with a UK birthplace marked missing on a Red Cross list of missing persons, which is updated by the public rather than officials.
The UK’s high commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clarke, said she and her colleagues were supporting the two women’s families and would do the same for “any other Brits who need our help”.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern has said 47 people were estimated to be on White Island, in the Bay of Plenty, when the volcano blasted a huge plume of ash and steam into the air on Monday.
Police said that despite spotting “some people” on the island in daring aerial reconnaissance efforts since the blast, rescuers saw “no signs of life” at any point.
Official enquiries with tour companies suggest eight people are still unacounted for. Deputy commissioner John Tims told reporters rescue efforts would resume once conditions improve.
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Earlier, deputy commissioner John Tims said the number of missing was in the double digits but he could not confirm an exact number.
He said there were fewer than 50 people on the island when it erupted and 23 had been taken off, including the five dead.
Mr Tims said experts had told them the island remained unstable but search and rescue teams wanted to get back as quickly as they could. He said there had been no contact with any of those who were missing.
He said both New Zealanders and overseas tourists were among those who were dead, missing or injured. He said most of the 18 who survived were injured and some had suffered severe burns.
After the deadly White Island explosion, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, asks: How safe is volcano tourism?
Some of those involved were tourists from the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
"A number of our guests were touring the island today," the company said. "We will offer all possible assistance to our guests and local authorities. Please keep all those affected in your prayers."
The cruise ship, which had left from Sydney last week, was scheduled to sail to the capital Wellington on Monday night but the company said it would instead remain in the Tauranga port overnight until it learned more on the situation.
Justin Trudeau has said "Canadians are thinking of" the loved ones of those affected by the disaster, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
The eruption was picked up by satellites, according to New Zealand's Met Office.
Here's Michael Schade's view from the crater "not 30 minutes before" the eruption, and of the explosion's aftermath.
There are still five Britons among those marked missing on New Zealand Red Cross' list.
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management reminds the public that the list is not official and information is submitted by the public.
A spokesman for the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has told PA they are seeking further information.
He said: "We are in close contact with the New Zealand authorities following the volcanic eruption on Whakaari/White Island and are seeking further information."
Questions have been raised as to why visitors were allowed on White Island – the tip of an underwater volcano which is the country’s most active – despite scientists noting an uptick in activity in recent weeks.
PA has assembled this detail on how the island is monitored:
GeoNet says they frequently visit the island to collect gas and water samples and to make general observations.
Dr Mohammad Heidarzadeh, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Brunel University London, says that activity on White Island is continuously monitored by cameras and specialised equipment.
The volcano expert said: "Volcanoes such as the one on White Island are monitored by 24/7 by live cameras and several seismometers, which register all seismic activities.
"Volcanoes trigger numerous small earthquakes, and these small tremors can give us a view of what is happening.
"The signs seem to have been missed on this occasion though, causing five deaths."
GeoNet's crater rim camera captures and posts an image on its website every 10 minutes. Here's an image taken one minute before the explosion at 2.11pm showing a group of people walking away from the crater.
(GNS Science via Reuters)
It is unclear whether the group, which appears to be made up of around a dozen people, were alerted to flee or were continuing a tour, unaware of the looming danger.
In the first official news for some hours, police have reconfirmed that there appear to be no survivors on the island.
Navy, police and rescue aircrafts have undertaken a number of aerial reconnaissance flights, they said in a statement.
A New Zealand Defence Force (navy) ship will approach the perimeter of the island at first light to deploy drones and observational equipment to further assess the environment, police have said in the new update.
GeoNet experts are continuing to support the recovery operation.
The Police Disaster Identification (DVI) team are assembling in Whakatane to await deployment.
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