At least five people have died after a volcano erupted in New Zealand.
Local police say a number of people remain unaccounted for but it is currently too dangerous for emergency services to reach White Island, which is located off the coast of the country's North Island.
In an update shortly after midnight local time, police said aerial reconnaissance flights over the island had shown "no signs of life".
They added they "believe that anyone who could have been taken from the island alive was rescued at the time of the evacuation".
A rescue operation was launched following the eruption at around 2:10pm local time (1:10am Irish time) on Monday.
Nobody lives on the island, but it's regularly visited by tourists - with fewer than 50 believed to be have been in the area at the time.
Camera images from the island show people close to the crater rim shortly before the cameras went dark.
Police said a number of people remain unaccounted for, with tourists from both New Zealand and overseas thought to be involved in what was described as a 'major event'.
18 people were rescued, with several people said to have suffered burns.
At a press conference on Monday evening local time, deputy police commissioner John Tims said he believes there are likely to be further fatalities.
He told reporters: "At this stage, it is too dangerous for police and rescue services to go to the island - the island is currently covered in ash and volcanic material.
"We are taking expert advice with the regards to the safety of any rescue attempt."
Officials later described it as a 'recovery operation'.
Police added that they are "working at pace" to confirm the number of people involved.
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.
A number of people have been injured and taken to hospital.
MORE HERE: https://t.co/cwNnNFcNa3 pic.twitter.com/FyVekb8sG5— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) December 9, 2019
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern added: "I know there will be a huge amount of concern and anxiety for those who have loved ones on or around the island at the time.
"I can assure them that police are doing everything they can."
White Island is located around 50km off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, and is described as being the country's most active volcano.
The site is popular with tourists, with tours of the inner crater being offered by local guides.
