“At least five people are dead and eight others remain unaccounted for after an eruption on a volcanic island off the coast of New Zealand on Monday, local officials have confirmed.

“New Zealand Police say 47 people were on or near White Island — about 30 miles off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island — when the volcano erupted just after 2 p.m. local time.

“But officials said it remains too dangerous for emergency services to access the island and search for those missing.

“”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,” New Zealand Police said in a statement Monday.”

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