New Zealand volcano: Fears death toll could rise significantly with possibly 20 still missing and 'no sign of life' on White Island

Police fear the death toll in the New Zealand volcanic eruption could rise significantly with potentially more than 20 people still missing and no sign of life on the smouldering White Island.

The death toll stands at a confirmed five people following the eruption but flights over White Island indicate there are no survivors.

Police said about 50 people were thought to be on or near White Island - an active volcano - when steam and ash erupted 12,000ft into the air on at 2.11pm NZ time (1.11am UK time) on Monday.

Twenty-three people, including the five people who died, were taken off the island shortly after the eruption, with the other 18 suffering injuries.

Police are unsure of the exact number of people who remained on the island but believe it is in double digits.

The rescue operation has been suspended because the island is too dangerous to return to and a police spokesman said

New Zealand Volcano eruption: White Island - In pictures

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A spokesman said: “The Police Eagle helicopter, rescue helicopter, and NZDF aircraft have undertaken a number of aerial reconnaissance flights over the island since the eruption.

“No signs of life have 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.

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

“Police is working urgently to confirm the exact number of those who have died, further to the five confirmed deceased already.

“As part of the recovery a NZDF ship will approach the perimeter of the island at first light to deploy drones and observational equipment to further assess the environment.”

Two British people - a 67-year-old from London and an 80-year-old woman - have been listed as missing by worried relatives and friends on a website set up by New Zealand Red Cross. The Evening Standard is not naming them at this stage because there is no confirmation they were at White Island at the time.

A 27-year-old woman from London also listed as missing was safe, her family has subsequently confirmed.

Twenty-eight Australians are also posted as missing, along with nationals from the United States, China, Singapore, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Guatemala.

A police spokesman said: “Both New Zealanders and overseas tourists are believed to involved.

“At the request of New Zealand Police, New Zealand Red Cross has activated the Family Links website for people wanting to register themselves as safe or register an inquiry about a loved one.

“If you are worried about a friend or family member following the White Island eruption, first contact them as you normally would.

“If you cannot make contact, you can register them through this website.”​

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “We are in close contact with the New Zealand authorities.”

Several tourists were seen walking inside the rim of the crater on White Island, also known as Whakaari, moments before it blew.

Seven people were said to be critically hurt, while up to 27 others were unaccounted for.

One of the dead was said to have been an experienced guide for White Island Tours. Tony Bonne, former mayor of the nearby town of Whakatane, described the victim as “a young energetic man who’s lost his life”.

The eruption occurred at 2.11pm local time (1.11am UK time), 30 miles off the coast of the Bay of Plenty, on the North Island.

Police deputy commissioner John Tims said the island was too unstable for the search to continue amid fears there could be another eruption. He added: “A number of people have been taken to hospital. A number of people have burns as a result of the eruption.”

Police were today warning people living near the area to “be aware of the potential for ashfall” and to stay indoors. New Zealand police said fewer than 50 people were on the island when it erupted, including, it is understood, more than 20 Australians in a tour group. At least 30 of those on the island were passengers on cruise ship Ovation Of The Seas, while the dead were a “range of nationalities”, police said.

Royal Caribbean, which owns the ship, said: “We will offer all possible assistance to our guests and local authorities.” Michael Schade, an engineering manager from San Francisco, was on a boat leaving the island and filmed the eruption, as well as badly damaged helicopters covered in ash.

He said: “Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before ... The ride home tending to people our boat rescued was indescribable.”

Brazilian Allessandro Kauffmann also narrowly missed the eruption, and wrote on Instagram: “There were two tours ... ours was the first. We left five minutes before the volcano erupted. This other tour that arrived right after, unfortunately they did not manage to leave in time, and there were some people that suffered serious burns.”

Whakaari, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, last experienced a short eruption in 2016.

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