UPDATE: Five dead, many more missing in eruption of New Zealand volcano | IOL News

https://image.iol.co.za/image/1/process/620x349?source=https://cdn.africannewsagency.com/public/ana/media/media/2019/12/09/media-reference%3A1f8274c28bbc40d8a808e5c9aff04aa9.jpg
Emergency services attend to an injured person arriving at the Whakatane Airfield after the volcanic eruption Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, on White Island, New Zealand. Photo: Alan Gibson/New Zealand Herald via AP.

WELLINGTON — A volcanic island in New Zealand erupted Monday in a tower of ash and steam while dozens of tourists were exploring the moon-like surface, killing five people and leaving many more missing.

Police said the site was still too dangerous hours later for rescuers to search for the missing.

Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims said the number of missing was in the double digits but he couldn't confirm an exact number. He said there were fewer than 50 people on the island when it erupted and 23 had been taken off, including the five dead.

Tims said experts had told them the island remained unstable but search and rescue teams wanted to get back as quickly as they could. He said there had been no contact with any of those who were missing.

He said both New Zealanders and overseas tourists were among those who were dead, missing or injured. He said most of the 18 who survived were injured and some had suffered severe burns.