VOLCANO HORROR
3 BRITS AMONG MANY DEAD ON TOURIST ISLAND
RESCUERS have failed to find any more survivors after a massive volcanic eruption yesterday.
Reconnaissance flights over New Zealand’s White Island reported no signs of life.
Around 50 tourists were thought to be visiting the island, with some spotted walking inside the crater an hour before disaster struck.
Around 23 were rescued by boat immediately after the explosion at 2.11pm local time.
At least five people were killed and 18 injured – many suffering burns.
Three Brits – two men of 67 and a woman, 80 – are among the missing. Another two Brit women are in hospital, the British High Commission confirmed last night.
New Zealand Deputy Police Commissioner John Timms said: “It is still too early to confirm how many people are involved.” He also said it was too dangerous to go onto the island because of the fear of further eruptions.
Videos show tourists scrambling for cover as the volcano spewed a plume of ash and smoke 12,000ft into the air.
Michael Schade, from San Francisco, said: “Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before.”
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed eight people were still missing while 31 remain in hospital.
Rania Morosan, 35, claimed she was warned about increased volcanic activity on a recent visit to the island, which is three miles from New Zealand’s North Island. She questioned why the warning system had not worked.