New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has confirmed people are unaccounted for after a volcanic eruption on White Island.
The volcano on the island, which is in the Bay of Plenty, erupted mid-afternoon on Monday and the local mayor confirmed several people were injured.
The eruption happened about 50 kilometres from the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, sending plumes of white smoke and debris into the atmosphere.
She added there seemed to be no danger for the people in the coastal areas, farther from the volcano.
Geonet, New Zealand’s geological hazard information centre, raised its alert level to four for a “moderate” volcanic eruption and the country’s aviation code has been raised to orange amid concerns about the impact on flights.
A volcanic ash advisory has also been issued for the surrounding area.
