
There are 'no signs of life' on the New Zealand tourist island rocked by a volcanic eruption on Monday and no more survivors are expected to be found, police have said.

Five people have been confirmed dead in a powerful eruption on White Island, also known as Whakaari, at 2.11pm local time on Monday when an estimated 50 tourists were on or around the volcano crater.

Eighteen survivors have been evacuated - some suffering severe burns - leaving an estimated 27 people unaccounted for. Police say the number of missing is in double figures, but refused to give an exact figure.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said 24 Australians were visiting the island at the time of the disaster, while three Britons were also listed among the missing by worried family and friends on the International Committee of the Red Cross website.

Rescuers have so-far been unable to get on to the island due to fears of landslides and further eruptions, but said a number of rescue helicopters and other aircraft had carried out aerial reconnaissance flights overnight.

Officials said early on Tuesday that 'no signs of life have been seen at any point' and they are not expecting to find anyone else alive. That means the death toll could be as high as 32.

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Whakaari also known as White Island, 48km (29mi) located off New Zealand's North Island, erupted around 2.11pm local time on Monday blowing huge plumes of smoke and debris 12,000 ft into the sky

At least five people died in the eruption, 18 have been rescued with injuries - including severe burns - while an estimated 27 are still missing, with rescuers unable to get on to the island

Tourist Michael Schade said he and his family were on the volcano just 20 minutes before it erupted and witnessed the blast as they were leaving the island (pictured)

The White Island Tour operators are seen helping to rescue people from the island, about 12 to 14 minutes after the eruption

Police say that everyone who could have been taken off the island alive was saved at the time, and anyone left on the island after the initial eruption has died

Tourists desperately scramble on to a boat to evacuate the island after the eruption, shortly after 2pm local time

One of the tour helicopters was left behind because of such low visibility after the eruption - which pushed ash and smoke into the air. Schade said the helicopters on the island 'looked destroyed'

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

Officers said a New Zealand naval ship will approach the shore and deploy drones and 'observational equipment' to scour the island as soon as the sun comes up.

Tony Bonne, former mayor of the nearby town of Whakatane, said that a guide for the White Island Tours company was among those killed.

Most of the Australians caught up in the disaster are thought to have been passengers on board the Ovation of the Seas cruise liner, which departed Sydney last week.

Speaking earlier on Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there were 'a number of tourists' from her country and overseas on the island at the time.

'I know there will be a huge amount of anxiety for those who have loved ones on or around the island at the time. I can assure them police are doing everything they can,' Ardern said.

Ardern and Civil Defence Minister Peeni Henare will travel to the nearby Whakatane on Monday night.

Royal Caribbean, owner of Ovation of the Seas, issued a statement saying the ship would stay in the nearby port of Tauranga overnight 'until we learn more about the situation'.

White Island is New Zealand's most active volcano and had seen its last major eruption in 2001, with smaller events over the years until now.

Officials said it's unlikely the volcano will erupt again in the next 24 hours but have warned people to stay away from the area.

White Island, 48km from the Bay of Plenty region, began erupting about 2.11pm local time

A tour group was pictured inside the crater on a webcam at 2.10pm, just one minute before the eruption took place

Handout images from a webcam belonging to the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences shows the volcano on New Zealand's White Island spewing steam and ash

An aerial view of the volcano shows thick smoke billowing from the crater, which has been a permanent feature of the island for decades

'It was not a particularly big eruption, it was almost like a throat clearing eruption and that's why material probably won't make it to mainland New Zealand,' Dr Ken Gledhill said.

'We can't be certain it won't erupt again in the next 24 hours,' he said.

The island is frequently visited by tourists as part of organised boat tours from nearby Whakatane.

Geological hazard trackers GeoNet had registered moderate volcanic unrest on the island for weeks.

But the nature of volcano activity is unpredictable, with the eruption unforeseen by authorities.

A camera of the crater's rim, run by monitoring agency GeoNet, set to take pictures every 10 minutes showed a string of people visiting the crater at 2.10pm.

The next shot taken, at 2.20pm, was unreadable as the blast had rendered the camera inoperable.

St John has dispatched seven helicopters to the island, but they are unable to land.

'We are taking expert advice with regard to conditions to determine when we can safely access the island,' a police statement read.

'We can confirm there has been one fatality, and based on the information we have it is likely there are others.'

Police did not advise of any further information of the deceased person.

'Of those transported to shore, at least one has been critically injured,' a spokesman said.

'Emergency services are working to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including rescue staff.'

Most people who have been rescued from the island suffered various stages of burns.

'A disaster waiting to happen': Experts say tourist trips to White Island volcano were 'too dangerous' White Island was always 'too dangerous' for the number of tourists visiting the island, experts have said, as they warned of risks of further blasts and landslides. Emeritus Professor Ray Cas, from Monash University, branded the island - also known by its Maori name Whakaari - 'a disaster waiting to happen for many years'. 'I have always felt that it was too dangerous to allow the daily tour groups that visit the uninhabited island volcano by boat and helicopter,' he said. In 1914, a small mining community on the island was wiped out after falling rocks weakened by the island's volcanic activity swept through the village. The violent volcanic eruption on New Zealand's white Island was caused because ocean crust is being subducted (pictured, the series of events leading to the spontaneous eruption). This constant movement means sudden explosions can occur at any moment Mining activity was subsequently banned and the island has been uninhabited now for more than a century, but is a hotspot for tourists hoping to get close to an active volcano. Large volcanic events such as the White Island eruption can often cause subsequent disasters. GeoNet, New Zealand's geological hazard information centre, describes White Island as New Zealand's most active cone volcano. Only the top is visible, with around 80 per cent of it underwater. Rescuers have been unable to visit the island in the wake of the disaster in order to search for survivors and victims, saying it is still too dangerous. Explaining the dangers, Chris Elders, professor of Geology at Curtin University's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, told MailOnline: 'This may be a combination of the ash in the atmosphere that would affect any helicopters. 'Also, when you get an eruption like this, the ash deposits very quickly and creates rocks which are extremely unstable. 'Any rainfall, which can be triggered by the ash sent into the atmosphere, could cause a landslide if the unstable rocks come loose.' Advertisement

Emergency services attend to an injured person arriving at the Whakatane Airfield after the volcanic eruption

A person wrapped in a blanket is comforted by emergency services personnel following an eruption of the White Island volcano

Emergency services attend to an injured person arriving at the Whakatane Airfield after the volcanic eruption

A rescue operation is currently underway to save people who were pictured inside the crater at 2.10pm, just moments before the explosion, on the White Island Crater Rim camera.

Other shots from the camera, displayed online every 10 minutes, showed the blast before the camera went black.

A second, slightly smaller eruption went off at 3.45pm, according to local fishermen.

Tourist Michael Schade said he and his family were on the volcano just 20 minutes before it erupted and witnessed the blast as they were leaving the island.

'This is so hard to believe. Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before. My thoughts with the families of those currently unaccounted for, the people recovering now, and especially the rescue workers,' he said on Twitter.

'My family and I had gotten off it 20 minutes before, were waiting at our boat about to leave when we saw it. Boat ride home tending to people our boat rescued was indescribable.

'Praying for them and their recovery. Woman my mom tended to was in critical condition but seemed strong by the end. The helicopters on the island looked destroyed.

Allessandro Kauffmann, a Brazilian tourist who was in the first tour group for the morning said his group left the island 'just in time'.

'Some people have extensive burns on their bodies. Two tours on the volcano. Ours was the first. The other one right after. We left the island and wasn't even five minutes before it erupted. This other tour that arrived after couldn't leave in time,' he said in an Instagram post.

Coastguard rescue boats are pictured alongside the marina near Whakatane on Monday

Coastguard rescue boats are pictured alongside the marina near Whakatane, where the injured were brought following the volcanic eruption

Newlyweds, a family-of-four and six children are among over 20 Australian tourists feared missing after New Zealand's volcano catastrophe - with death toll expected to rise above 30 as search teams find 'no signs of life' By Karen Ruiz for Daily Mail Australia More than 20 Australians including a Sydney family-of-four and a newlywed couple are listed as missing by the New Zealand Red Cross in the wake of the deadly White Island volcano eruption. Five people have been confirmed dead and dozens were still unaccounted for as of early Tuesday after the volcano exploded shortly after 2pm local time on Monday. An estimated 50 tourists - from New Zealand and overseas - were on or around the crater, located off the coast of the North Island, at the time of the blast. Eighteen survivors were evacuated - some suffering severe burns - leaving an estimated 27 people unaccounted for. Police say the number of missing is in double figures - and that they do not expect to find any further survivors. Names of those still unaccounted for have been listed by concerned family members on the Restoring Family Links website. The website is not an official missing persons list. Newly-wed couple James, 23, and Madeleine Whitehouse, 24, from Brisbane, were listed as missing as of early Tuesday morning, according to a list compiled by concerned family members on the Red Cross website Amy Miall, 30, from Brisbane, and partner Mathew Thomas (pictured) 31, from Tamsworth, are still unaccounted for Among the Australians listed as missing are North Sydney family-of-four, parents Anthony, 51, and Kristine Langford, and their two teenage children Jesse, 19, and Winona, 17. Newlywed couple James, 23, and Madeleine Whitehouse, 24, from Brisbane, were also listed as missing as of early Tuesday morning. According to social media, the couple had married last September and had been on holiday in New Zealand. Other Australians on the missing list include Amy Miall, 30, from Brisbane, Mathew Thomas, 31, from Tamsworth, Richard Aaron Elzer, 32, and Jason Griffiths, 33, from Coffs Harbour, and Jane Murray, 56, from Sydney. A 12-year-old boy from Western Australia and seven-year-old the youngest still unaccounted for, according to the site. Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed 24 Australians were visiting the island as part of a cruise ship tour group on Monday. AFP are working with New Zealand counterparts to confirm information on the well-being of those involved, Mr Morrison said. 'We have so far been able to identify a number of Australians who have been hospitalised and will we working further on this through the night,' the prime minister said. Among those listed as missing is North Sydney family of four, parents Anthony, 51, and Kristine Langford (pictured) and their two teenage children Siblings Jesse Langford (left) 19, and Winona Langford, 17, were believed to be on holiday with their family Jason Griffiths (pictured) 33, from Coffs Harbour, NSW, was listed as missing as of early Tuesday New Zealand officials said early Tuesday morning that 'no signs of life have been seen at any point', meaning the death toll could be as high as 32. Three Britons are believed to be among those still missing. Speaking earlier on Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there were 'a number of tourists' from her country and overseas on the island at the time. 'I know there will be a huge amount of anxiety for those who have loved ones on or around the island at the time. I can assure them police are doing everything they can,' Ardern said. Ardern and Civil Defence Minister Peeni Henare travelled to the nearby Whakatane on Monday night. An estimated 50 tourists - from New Zealand and overseas - were on or around the crater, located off the coast of the North Island, at the time of the blast Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed 24 Australians were visiting the island as part of a cruise ship tour group on Monday National Operation Commander Deputy Commissioner John Tims on Monday confirmed five people have died and multiple people were taken to hospital with burns, with the death toll expected to rise. 'I can confirm there are five people now deceased from the eruption on White Island,' Mr Tims told reporters on Monday evening. 'A number of other people have been taken to a hospital. A number of people have burns as a result of the eruption. It is still too early for police to confirm how many people are involved.' Authorities are yet to confirm the nationalities of the victims or if there are still survivors because they had been unable to establish communication with anyone on the island on Monday. 'There are possibilities of further eruptions. The physical environment is unsafe for us to return to the island. It is important that we consider the health and safety of those that are going to rescue those on the island. So we will be taking that advice,' Mr Tims said. White Island is New Zealand's most active volcano and had seen its last major eruption in 2001, with smaller events over the years until now. The island is frequently visited by tourists as part of organised boat tours from nearby Whakatane. Geological hazard trackers GeoNet had registered moderate volcanic unrest on the island for weeks. But the nature of volcano activity is unpredictable, with the eruption unforeseen by authorities. A camera of the crater's rim, run by monitoring agency GeoNet, set to take pictures every 10 minutes showed a string of people visiting the crater at 2.10pm. The next shot taken, at 2.20pm, was unreadable as the blast had rendered the camera inoperable. Advertisement

'Some people have serious burns. We had to stay to help those people who were on the island. The boat from this other tour was covered in ash from the volcano. Very tense talking about this. We just have to hope that all is as well as can be.'

Tourists from cruise liner Ovation of the Seas were visiting the island on Monday morning, according to the company's chief executive Mark Cairns.

He said the majority of those injured in the eruption are from the ship.

Judy Turner, the Mayor of Whakatane also confirmed tourists on the island had been injured in the blast.

A spokeswoman for Tourism Bay of Plenty said Volcanic Helicopters and one boat have still not been accounted for.

A White Island Tours boat carrying visitors was also close to the island, which is 48kms from the Bay of Plenty.

Calvin Kingi, who works for the tour company, posted on Facebook saying his group got out just in time.

'White Island just erupted as we left, we have our work mates and a tour still on the island, I hope they okay,' he wrote.

An emergency operation centre has reportedly been established at Whakatane Hospital.

A Westpac Rescue helicopter has reportedly been tasked with transporting blood from Auckland hospital to Whakatane.

Family members of people who were on the island at the time are slowly arriving on the wharf and waiting for any updates, according to local media.

Seven rescue helicopters have been trying to get to the island while others situated nearby are on standby.

Thick, black plumes of smoke are still filling the sky around the island.

Warnings ignored: How persistent tourists travelled to the active volcano against expert advice By Charlie Moore for Daily Mail Australia Tourists have been travelling to White Island for years despite warnings from scientists that it could erupt at any time. Between 2011 and 2016 the volcano to the north of New Zealand's north island - which erupted on Monday - had a period of increased activity but still boatloads of tourists arrived. Volcanologists at the time refused to step foot on the island because it was too dangerous and warned tourists not to go - but still the boats kept landing. An aerial view of the volcano, which is currently the most active in New Zealand and erupted in 2016 and 2012 before today In recent weeks the volcano has been going through another period of activity but tourism was not stopped. Last month monitoring outfit GNS Science raised the alert level for the volcano to level two because of increase activity. 'Volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island and some monitored parameters show further increases in activity,' the agency said. 'Hazards on the island are now greater than during the past few weeks. 'The patterns of signals are similar to those through the 2011 - 2016 period and suggest that Whakaari/White Island may be entering a period where eruptive activity is more likely than normal.' Advertisement

The Volcanic Alert Level was raised to four at the time of the explosion - the second highest warning level and considered to be a 'moderate eruption - but is now at three.

Prime Minster Scott Morrison confirms Australians have been caught up in New Zealand volcano horror A terrible tragedy is unfolding in New Zealand after the volcano eruption on Whakaari/White Island. Australians have been caught up in this terrible event and we are working to determine their wellbeing. I have been in touch with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to offer our full support with whatever they need and our authorities are working closely together. I will be staying in direct contact as events continue to unfold. We will provide updates once they are confirmed and are available. Advertisement

There is a 'possibility of a very large eruption' under the level four coding, as well as a further chance of a flank eruption, which is when simultaneous explosions occur around the volcano rather than from the summit alone.

Whakaari is New Zealand's only active marine volcano, and is also the nation's most active, with regular eruptions since 2012.

The most recent eruption prior to today was minor, and occurred in 2016.

At least 70 per cent of the volcano is under sea level, and a single crater makes up most of the island, which is frequently visited by tourists.

Geological hazard trackers GeoNet had registered moderate volcanic unrest on the island for weeks, before the eruption began at 12:10pm AEDT.

GNS Science said they are still monitoring conditions on the island and there had been a 'steady decline in activity, [though] there remains significant uncertainty.'

'Currently there are no signs of further eruptions, but we will continue to closely monitor Whakaari/White Island for further signs of activity.'

The local council says New Zealand Police and Bay of Plenty Civil Defence are working together to respond.

Pictured: An abandoned sulphur factory on the island, which is known for its frequent explosions