Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said some 100 tourists were on or near the Isle of Wight, 30 miles from New Zealand mainland, during a “very significant” eruption at around 2:15 p.m. local time.
“Some of them were missing. Several people were reportedly injured and brought to shore,” she said.
The Prime Minister said there were no confirmed deaths.
According to a representative of the New Zealand St. John’s Emergency Response Team, up to 20 people were injured during the rescue operation.
The most active volcano in New Zealand is the White Island, and scientists have noted a recent surge in volcanic activity on the island.
My god, White Island volcano in New Zealand erupted today for first time since 2001. My family and I had gotten off it 20 minutes before, were waiting at our boat about to leave when we saw it. Boat ride home tending to people our boat rescued was indescribable. #whiteisland pic.twitter.com/QJwWi12Tvt— Michael Schade (@sch) December 9, 2019
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Natural catastrophe