Police can confirm five people are now confirmed to have died in the White Island volcanic eruption.
Our sincere condolences are with their family and friends.
We are continuing to work as quickly as possible, through a number of channels of information, to confirm exact numbers of those involved, including those who remain on the island.
A number of people have been injured and taken to Whakatane Hospital and Middlemore Hospital.
Both New Zealanders and overseas tourists are believed to involved.
/NZ Police Public Release. View in full here.
