New Zealand police said at least five people were killed and more fatalities were likely, after an island volcano popular with tourists erupted Monday, leaving dozens stranded.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed some of those caught up in the disaster were foreign tourists. "We know that there were a number of tourists on or around the island at the time, both New Zealanders and visitors from overseas."
Ardern said at an afternoon news briefing that people who were injured in the eruption were being transported to shore. She said the incident appeared to be “very significant.“All our thought s are with those affected,” she said.
St John medical responders said earlier they believed there were 20 people on the island who were injured and in need of medical treatment.
Brad Scott, a volcanologist with GNS Science, said the eruption was significant and sent a plume of steam and ash about 3,660 metres into the air. He said it had also affected the whole of the White Island crater floor.
The GeoNet agency at first raised its alert level to four, on a scale where five represents a major eruption. It later dropped the alert level back down to three. Scott said that was because the eruption wasn't sustained beyond the initial blast.White Island sits about 50 kilometres offshore from mainland New Zealand.
There will be questions asked as to why tourists were still able to visit the island after scientists recently noted an uptick in volcanic activity.
GeoNet raised the alert level on White Island from one to two on Nov. 18, noting an increase in the amount of sulfur dioxide gas, which originates from magma deep in the volcano. It also said at the time that over the previous weeks, the volcanic tremor had increased from weak to moderate strength.
Scott said the alert level was often raised and then later dropped again without any eruption. He said there hadn't been any major incidents with tourists visiting the island in the past, although there had been some close calls.Scott said it was not for him to say whether the island was safe enough to host tourists immediately before Monday's eruption.
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