At least 5 dead after New Zealand's White Island volcano erupts

Monday, 9 December 2019 08:18

A volcano has erupted on New Zealand's White Island, leaving five people dead and more than 40 unaccounted for.

New Zealand police said 23 people had been rescued, but warned conditions were hampering rescue efforts.

A tour party from cruise ship Ovation of the Seas were on a tour of White Island when the volcano erupted on Monday.

"A number of people are reportedly injured and are now being transported to shore," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the media, adding that many of those affected could be tourists.

More from International News

Gunman kills six family members in eastern Iowa, police say

A gunman has killed six members of his family, then took his own life, during a spate of shootings on Monday in the eastern Iowa city of Muscatine, a waterfront town situated across the Mississippi River from Illinois, police said.
Nine dead, dozens wounded as Russia launches major attack across Ukraine

Russian air attacks on major Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv have killed at least nine and wounded more than 60 early on Tuesday, authorities said, following days of warnings that Moscow was planning a major assault.
Trump says no Israeli troops will go to Beirut after call with Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israel would not send troops to Beirut after a call he held with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Moderna and other groups get $60 million to develop Ebola vaccine

Global health organisation CEPI will give roughly $60 million to Moderna and two other groups to accelerate the development of shots against Ebola Bundibugyo, the deadly virus that has swept through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.