In Pictures

In Pictures: White Island volcano erupts in New Zealand

This handout photograph courtesy of Michael Schade shows the volcano on New Zealand''s White Island spewing steam and ash minutes following an eruption on December 9, 2019. New Zealand police said at l — The volcano erupted in New Zealand on Monday, spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air. [Michael Schade/AFP]

A volcano erupted in New Zealand, spewing a plume of ash thousands of metres into the air and killing at least five people. An unknown number were trapped as conditions for search-and-rescue teams were too dangerous.

An estimated 50 people were in the vicinity when the eruption began at about 2pm (01:00 GMT) on White Island, about 50km (30 miles) from the east coast of North Island.

The island’s immediate surroundings were hazardous because of the eruption with volcanic debris, gas, and ash heavy in the air, the National Emergency Management Agency said in a statement.

Tour guides evacuate tourists on a boat shortly after the volcano eruption on White Island, New Zealand December 9, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. @SCH/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEE — Tour guides evacuate tourists on a boat shortly after the volcano eruption on White Island. [Reuters]

This handout photograph courtesy of Michael Schade shows the volcano on New Zealand''s White Island spewing steam and ash moments after it erupted on December 9, 2019. New Zealand police said at least — The White Island volcano is one of New Zealand's most active. [Michael Schade/AFP]

This handout photograph courtesy of Michael Schade shows wreckage of a helicopter amid ash minutes after the volcano on New Zealand''s White Island erupted on December 9, 2019. New Zealand police said — A statement from New Zealand Police said there were thought to be about 50 people on the island at the time of the eruption, and 23 had been rescued so far. [Michael Schade/AFP]

Emergency services attend to an injured person arriving at the Whakatane Airfield after the volcanic eruption Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, on White Island, New Zealand. (Alan Gibson/New Zealand Herald via AP — Emergency services attend to an injured person arriving at the Whakatane Airfield after the volcanic eruption. [Alan Gibson/New Zealand Herald/AP Photo]

An image provided by visitor Michael Schade shows White Island (Whakaari) volcano, as it erupts, in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 09 December 2019. According to police, at least five people have die — No more survivors were expected to be rescued [Michael Schade/EPA]

This handout image from a webcam belonging to the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences shows the volcano on New Zealand''s White Island spewing steam and ash on December 9, 2019. - At least one — About 70 percent of the volcano is under the sea and at least 10,000 people go to see it every yea [Handout/Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd/AFP]