A rescue operation is underway in New Zealand after a volcano off the coast of the North Island erupted, sending plumes of white smoke into the air.
Local media reports there are fears for people who were on Whakaari, or White Island, when it erupted on Monday afternoon.
The New Zealand Herald says images from the White Island Crater Rim camera appeared to show people at 2.10pm. The explosions on the privately owned island, which is 50 kilometres off the shore of the Bay of Plenty, happened shortly after that.
“I’ve got limited understanding at present, other than there’s been an eruption, that there have been some people who were on the island at the time, who have had some injuries,” Whakatane mayor Judy Turner told local radio.
“I’m not sure of the extent or nature of those injuries and that emergency services are all waiting for them to be returned from the island so they can attend to them.”
A volcanic eruption is occurring at White Island and is hazardous in the immediate vicinity of the volcano.
— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) December 9, 2019
UPDATE: Whakaari/White Island has erupted. The initial Volcanic Alert Bulletin has been published on our website. More information soon.https://ift.tt/2riAhuA
Posted by GeoNet on Sunday, December 8, 2019
Ambulance officers also told radio stations there were reports that up to 20 people had been injured when the eruption sent massive plumes of steam and debris into the air.
Authorities have urged people to stay away from the island, which is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano. The country has also activated its national emergency crisis centre.
Geological hazard trackers GeoNet had registered moderate volcanic unrest on the island for weeks, before Monday afternoon’s eruption.
-more to come
-with AAP
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