- A webcam photograph from the New Zealand geological hazards agency GeoNet shows a group of people inside the crater of a volcano moments before it erupted.
- The eruption occurred at Whakaari, also known as White Island, which is located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the east coast of country's North Island.
- New Zealand police confirmed in a press conference at 6 p.m. on Monday local time that at least five people are dead and many more are injured.
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A photograph from a webcam operated by the New Zealand geological hazards agency GeoNet shows a group of people inside the crater of the White Island volcano moments before it erupted.
At a press conference around 6 p.m. local time, New Zealand Police confirmed that at least five people have died as a result of the eruption, while others were being treated in nearby hospitals for burns.
It is not clear whether the group of people inside the crater are among those killed or injured.
The still shows a pathway leading to the rim of the crater. A group of people can be seen walking along the path.
White smoke can also be seen rising from the rim of the crater.
The time stamp on the still reads 02:10 p.m. — just one minute before the volcano erupted, according to timings given by GeoNet.
According to a Reuters report, images captured at 2:20 p.m. showed the crater floor black and a plume of black and gray smoke rising from the rim of the crater.
The camera captures images of Whakaari every ten minutes live on its website.
GeoNet has now suspended the broadcast of the webcam and removed the footage and the images from its website while rescue operations are underway.
- Read more:
- At least 5 dead after a New Zealand volcano erupted unexpectedly, sending ash plumes 12,000 feet into the air
- Photos and videos show the huge volcanic eruption in New Zealand which killed at least 5 people
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