Five people have been confirmed dead after a volcano erupted on a small island in New Zealand.
Police say a number of people remain unaccounted for, but it's too dangerous for emergency services to attempt to rescue them.
Around 50 people were on or around White Island at the time.
No one lives there, but it's a popular spot for tourists.
Police can confirm five people are now confirmed to have died in the White Island volcanic eruption.
Our sincere condolences are with their family and friends.
A number of people have been injured and taken to hospital.
MORE HERE: https://t.co/cwNnNFcNa3 pic.twitter.com/FyVekb8sG5
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) December 9, 2019
Deputy Police Commissioner John Tims says their investigation is at a very early stage:
"A number of other people have been taken to hospital, a number of people have burns as a result of the eruption."
He says it is still too early for police to confirm how many people are involved.
