No more survivors on White Island after volcanic eruption: police

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned Australians to "prepare for some difficult news" in the days ahead as police revealed they did not expect to find any more survivors from a devastating volcanic eruption that so far has killed five people in New Zealand.

Twenty four Australians were exploring White Island in the Bay of Plenty as part of a cruise ship tour on Monday afternoon when the volcano suddenly erupted, sending plumes of ash shooting 3700 metres into the sky. Fears are held for up to 27 people who have not been accounted for following the eruption.

Michael Schade took this photo as the eruption threw an ash plume about 3600 metres high.Credit:Michael Schade

Rescue helicopters and other aircraft carried out a number of reconnaissance flights over the island after the eruption, police said, but it was too dangerous for rescuers to land.

"No signs of life have been seen at any point," police said in a statement late on Monday night.

"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 (are) working urgently to confirm the exact number of those who have died…"

The statement said a New Zealand Defence Force ship would approach the island at first light on Tuesday and deploy drones to further "assess the environment".

'Prepare for some difficult news'

Mr Morrison said it was unclear how many Australians were among those evacuated immediately after the eruption.

"We have so far been able to identify a number of Australians who have been hospitalised and will be working further on this through the night," Mr Morrison said in a statement late on Monday.

"We hope to know more in the morning, however we must prepare for some difficult news in the days ahead.

"Jenny and I extend our love to all the individuals and families affected. This is a terrible and anxious time for them.

"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."

The 'Family Links' web page, set up by the New Zealand Red Cross for families to register missing loved ones, listed 27 Australians early on Tuesday morning. Also listed among the missing are those from the UK, New Zealand, South America, and India, and other nations.

Police do not expect to find any other survivors following the volcanic eruption.Credit:Michael Schade

Ovation of the Seas had been scheduled to sail to the capital Wellington on Monday night, but the company said it would instead remain in the Tauranga port until "we learn more about the situation.

"We will offer all possible assistance to our guests and local authorities," a spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean said.

"Please keep all those affected in your prayers.”

People are rescued from White Island minutes after the volcanic eruption.Credit:Michael Schade

New Zealand victim identified

New Zealand media reported that one of those killed in the eruption was a man from the nearby coastal town of Whakatāne who was an experienced guide for White Island Tours.

"The young man that lost his life, I know him personally," former mayor Tony Bonne told Stuff.co.nz. "It's very sad that he's lost his life. I know the family, it's been confirmed."

Michael Schade, an engineering manager from San Francisco, was one of the tourists who made it off the island just before the eruption.

"This is so hard to believe," Schade said in a video posted on Twitter as he sped away from the island by boat.

"Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before."

Alert level raised before eruption

White Island is about 50 kilometres from the east coast of New Zealand's North Island and huge plumes were visible from the mainland. Volcanologists said the ash plume shot nearly 3,700 metres into the air.

The volcano, known as Whakaari, is New Zealand's most active cone volcano. It last experienced a small eruption in 2013.

The GeoNet agency, which monitors volcanoes and earthquakes in New Zealand, had raised the alert level on White Island on November 18 from 1 to 2, on a scale where 5 represents a major eruption, noting an increase in sulfur dioxide gas, which originates from magma deep in the volcano.

It also said at the time that over the previous weeks, volcanic tremors had increased from weak to moderate strength.

Ms Ardern will hold a news conference in Whakatane early on Tuesday morning to provide an update on the situation.

Anyone concerned about loved ones can call a 24-hour emergency number on 1300 555 135 from within Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.

With Reuters, AAP

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