AFP Image caption There was still smoke above White Island on Tuesday morning ****** Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he “feared” three of the five confirmed dead were Australian.
Mr Morrison said that 24 Australians were on board a cruise ship exploring the island in the Bay of Plenty when the volcano erupted. Of those, people had been hospitalized and were unaccounted for, he said.
“This is a terrible tragedy, a time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption, “Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney.
Ms Ardern acknowledged the apparently high number of Australian victims.
“Can I say to our Australian family, there are no two countries closer and we are devastated at what has happened here and particularly want to acknowledge those from Australia who have been caught up in this horrific, horrific incident, “she said.
A web page has been set up by the New Zealand Red Cross for families. to register missing loved ones.
What happened at the volcano?
White Island, also called Whakaari, is the country’s most active volcano. Despite that, the privately owned island is a tourist destination with frequent day tours and scenic flights available.
The volcano erupted in two explosions in quick succession at around (*****************************: 47 (11 ****************************** (GMT) on Monday, sending up a thick plume of ash and smoke.
A live feed from the volcano showed several visitors inside the crater before the stream went dark.
according to Ms Ardern, there were two groups on the island at the time, “those who were able to be evacuated and those who were close to the eruption”.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings