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Five dead, over two dozen missing after being caught in New Zealand volcano eruption

Tourists were seen walking inside the rim of the crater just moments before the eruption began around 2:11 pm local time.

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This combination of handout images from a webcam shows the volcano on White Island spewing steam and ash on December 9, 2019
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A number of 50 people who were in the vicinity of White Island volcano when it erupted on Monday are unaccounted for, New Zealand has police said.

Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims confirmed that one person has died and "based on information we have, there are likely to be more.” 

While 23 people have been taken from the island, there is no information regarding the whereabouts of the rest of the people. 

Tourists were seen walking inside the rim of the crater just moments before the eruption began around 2:11 pm local time (6:41 IST).

A live feed showed people inside the crater before it went dark after the eruption.

White Island, also known as Whakaari, is one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes but is also a popular tourist destination.

"While it was initially believed there were approximately 100 people on or near the island at the time of the eruption, we now believe there were fewer than 50," police said.

"Some of those people have been transported to shore, however a number believed to be on the island are currently unaccounted for," a statement by the New Zealand police said. "Of those transported to shore, at least one has been critically injured."

Emergency services are working to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including rescue staff, it said. A no-fly zone has been established.

Police is working with the National Emergency Management Agency to coordinate a search and rescue operation following a volcanic eruption at White Island this afternoon.

Geological hazard monitoring website GeoNet said ash falls appear to be confined to White Island and they do not expect more than a minor amount of ash to reach East Cape in the coming hours.

The agency said that the eruption was a shortlived event and affected the crater floor. Activity appears to have diminished since the eruption, it said. 

"Our monitoring equipment is still operating, and we have seen a steady decline in activity since the eruption. There remains significant uncertainty as to future changes but currently, there are no signs of escalation," it added. 

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