At least three Aussie are feared to have been killed and a further 11 are unaccounted for after a volcanic eruption on a New Zealand island.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has spoken with his Kiwi counterpart and has given a press conference this morning.
Advert
Yesterday it was confirmed that five people were dead, eight are officially missing and there were around 27 people stranded on White Island after the eruption. Twenty-four Australians have been confirmed to be on the island at the time of the explosion.
Mr Morrison told reporters that there are fears the death toll could jump.
"We fear of the five deceased persons, that three of those, up to three are Australians, but that is not yet confirmed," Morrison said this morning.
"But I fear there is worse news to come over the course of perhaps today or over the next few days.
"Of the 24 ones, we have been able to ascertain overnight and this morning that 13 of those Australians are hospitalised across multiple hospitals in New Zealand.
Advert
"This is a very, very hard day for a lot of Australian families whose loved ones have been caught up in this terrible, terrible tragedy. Can I also confirm that, after speaking with the New Zealand prime minister, that the operation has moved into recovery phase."
Because the area is still too volatile to enter, the New Zealand military will today deploy drones around the island to assess the situation. But that mission is not expected to come back with good news as police have previously said 'no signs of life had been seen at any point'.
New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern said there are a total of 31 people in hospitals spread across the country at the moment.
She's also congratulated first responders in dealing with the eruption quickly.
"I do need to commend our emergency services - they worked very, very quickly to make sure the persons got the critical care when and where they needed," Ms Ardern said.
Advert
"Now in the aftermath, we are working through all the information we need in order to give the information we need to victims' families but also to those who want to provide consular assistance."
White Island is largely regarded as one of New Zealand's most active volcanos and many have questioned why tourists are allowed on it.
University of Auckland professor of earth sciences Shane Cronin told the Conversation the volcano on the island is difficult to predict.
"Monitoring and warning for hydrothermal eruptions is a huge challenge," he said. "We don't normally see these eruptions coming, no matter how much we would like to. Many systems are already 'primed' for such events, but the triggers are poorly understood."
Featured Image Credit: PA