At least 5 dead after a New Zealand volcano erupted unexpectedly, sending ash plumes 12,000 feet into the air

• At least five people are dead and several others injured after one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes erupted on Monday afternoon local time, sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky.
• Police say in the latest statement released in the early hours of Tuesday morning that "no signs of life have been seen at any point" on the Island by helicopters or rescue aircrafts.
• According to The New Zealand Herald 100 people were thought to be on the Island when the volcano erupted, but it is not clear how many of these have been rescued.
• New Zealand's geological monitoring agency, GeoNet, said the eruption began at around 2:11 p.m. on Whakaari, also known as White Island.
• According to the agency, the volcano sent ash plumes 12,000 feet into the air. 
• New Zealand police officials said, around 6 p.m. on the night of the explosion, that the area is too dangerous for rescuers to try to retrieve anybody. 
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At least five people are dead and several others were injured after one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes erupted on Monday, sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky. 

The death toll is expected rise as the latest statement from police says "no signs of life have been seen at any point" by helicopters and rescue aircrafts flying over the Island.

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said that about 100 people were believed to have been on the island when the volcano erupted, according to the New Zealand Herald.

It is not clear how many of these estimated 100 people were rescued prior to the helicopters being sent over the Island, but police say they are working "urgently" to confirm the number of people who have died in addition to the five confirmed.

The eruption occurred at Whakaari, also known as White Island, which is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the east coast of country's North Island.

According to New Zealand's geological monitoring agency, GeoNet, the eruption began at around 2:11 p.m. local time.

Activity at the volcano diminished after the short-lived eruption.

At a press conference around 6 p.m. local time, New Zealand Police confirmed that at least five people died, while others were being treated in nearby hospitals for burns.

Police added it is still too early to confirm how many people are involved and how many people are still on the island. 

Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims said that the volcano is currently too unstable for rescuers to enter.

"It is important that we consider the health and safety of those who are going to rescue those on the island," said Tims.

Prime Minister Arden expressed her condolences for those affected at a cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon.

"All our thoughts are with those affected at this stage," Ardern said. 

New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency said that the immediate vicinity of the volcano remains hazardous.

GeoNet said the volcano sent ash plumes 12,000 feet into the air. 

A no-fly zone has been established above the island. 

According to GNS Science, New Zealand's geoscience agency, White Island has been New Zealand's most continuously active volcano for the last 40 years.

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