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New Zealand volcano: 'No sign of life' after White Island eruption New Zealand volcano: 'No sign of life' after White Island eruption
(about 1 hour later)
Reconnaissance flights over New Zealand's White Island volcano have not identified any survivors there after Monday's eruption, police say.Reconnaissance flights over New Zealand's White Island volcano have not identified any survivors there after Monday's eruption, police say.
About 50 people are thought to have been touring the uninhabited island. At least five died and 23 were rescued, some critically ill with burn injuries.About 50 people are thought to have been touring the uninhabited island. At least five died and 23 were rescued, some critically ill with burn injuries.
Police believe anyone who could have been found alive was evacuated.Police believe anyone who could have been found alive was evacuated.
Rescuers have been unable to search the island because of the risk of new eruptions, and it is now dark. Rescuers have been unable to search the island because of the risk of new eruptions.
Tourists were seen walking inside the crater of White Island volcano moments before it erupted.Tourists were seen walking inside the crater of White Island volcano moments before it erupted.
"Based on the information we have, we do not believe there are any survivors on the island," the latest police update says."Based on the information we have, we do not believe there are any survivors on the island," the latest police update says.
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.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.
Deputy Police Commissioner John Tims told reporters that "both New Zealand and overseas tourists" were believed to be involved.Deputy Police Commissioner John Tims told reporters that "both New Zealand and overseas tourists" were believed to be involved.
What happened at the volcano?What happened at the volcano?
White Island erupted at around 14:11 (01:11 GMT), sending up a thick plume of ash and smoke which was filmed by visitor Michael Schade.White Island erupted at around 14:11 (01:11 GMT), sending up a thick plume of ash and smoke which was filmed by visitor Michael Schade.
Mr Schade, who was on a boat leaving the island after a morning tour, told the BBC he had been at the crater just 30 minutes before the disaster.Mr Schade, who was on a boat leaving the island after a morning tour, told the BBC he had been at the crater just 30 minutes before the disaster.
"We had just got on the boat... then someone pointed it out and we saw it," he said."We had just got on the boat... then someone pointed it out and we saw it," he said.
"I was basically just shocked. The boat turned back and we grabbed some people that were waiting on the pier.""I was basically just shocked. The boat turned back and we grabbed some people that were waiting on the pier."
Another witness, Brazilian Allessandro Kauffmann, said in an Instagram post in Portuguese that his boat had left five minutes before the eruption.Another witness, Brazilian Allessandro Kauffmann, said in an Instagram post in Portuguese that his boat had left five minutes before the eruption.
"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," he added."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," he added.
A live feed from the volcano showed a group of visitors inside the crater before the stream went dark.A live feed from the volcano showed a group of visitors inside the crater before the stream went dark.
Who was caught up in the disaster?Who was caught up in the disaster?
Up to 20 people are believed to have been injured, several of whom were brought by helicopter to Whakatane, the nearest town on the mainland, Reuters news agency reports.Up to 20 people are believed to have been injured, several of whom were brought by helicopter to Whakatane, the nearest town on the mainland, Reuters news agency reports.
There are few details about those caught in the eruption. Some who had gone to the island were passengers from the Ovation of the Seas, a cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean.There are few details about those caught in the eruption. Some who had gone to the island were passengers from the Ovation of the Seas, a cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean.
It left Sydney last week and stopped near Auckland on New Zealand's North Island before arriving in the city of Tauranga, near White Island, on Sunday.It left Sydney last week and stopped near Auckland on New Zealand's North Island before arriving in the city of Tauranga, near White Island, on Sunday.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians had "been caught up in this terrible event", adding that authorities were "working to determine their wellbeing".Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians had "been caught up in this terrible event", adding that authorities were "working to determine their wellbeing".
A web page set up by the New Zealand Red Cross for families to register missing loved ones includes people from Australia, New Zealand, the US, India, Britain and other European countries.A web page set up by the New Zealand Red Cross for families to register missing loved ones includes people from Australia, New Zealand, the US, India, Britain and other European countries.
A disaster waiting to happen? Why are tourists allowed on the island?
On 3 December, geological hazard monitoring website GeoNet warned "the volcano may be entering a period where eruptive activity is more likely than normal", although it added "the current level of activity does not pose a direct hazard to visitors". The island, also known as Whakaari, is privately owned and is typically visited by thousands of tourists every year, despite the fact that it has been erupting in some form since 2011.
University of Auckland associate professor Jan Lindsay said the alert level had recently been raised from one to two. "There was a heightened level of unrest and everyone was aware," she said. Geological hazard monitors GeoNet pass on information about the volcano's activity to tour operators and the police, but tourists make their own decisions about whether to visit.
"[The volcano] has a persistently active hydrothermal system... if gases build up under a block of clay or mud they can be released quite suddenly," Prof Lindsay said. Visitors are supplied with hard hats and gas masks to protect against sulphurous steam and must have suitable footwear to make the tour, according to New Zealand website Stuff.
When asked if visitors should have been on the island, the professor said: "It's a difficult question. It's often in a state of heightened unrest. The owners of Whakatane-based company White Island Tours are the official guardians of the island, which was declared a private scenic reserve in 1952, and they grant access through designated tour operators.
"GNS [New Zealand's geoscience institute] put out their alert bulletins and have good communication with tour companies, and they know what the risk is." According to the New Zealand Herald, White Island Tours warned on its website that visitors "should be aware that there is always a risk of eruptive activity regardless of the alert level", while stating it followed a "comprehensive safety plan which determines" its activities on the island "at the various levels".
But Ray Cas, a professor emeritus at Monash University, described the island as a "disaster waiting to happen for many years", Reuters reports. Company chairman Paul Quinn said the event on the island had been a "terrible tragedy" and the company's "thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been impacted".
"Having visited it twice, 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." The BBC has contacted White Island Tours for comment.
Last Tuesday GeoNet warned of a heightened level of activity at the site, but also said that "the current level of activity does not pose a direct hazard to visitors".
White Island has seen several eruptions over the years, most recently in 2016 but no-one was hurt in that event.White Island has seen several eruptions over the years, most recently in 2016 but no-one was hurt in that event.
Are you in the area? If it's safe to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? If it's safe to share your experiences then please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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