Wellington: According to the Newzealand police, no more survivors were expected to be rescued from an island volcano that erupted suddenly on Monday; nearly two dozen people could have died.  

   Some 50 people were visiting White island when it exploded in the early afternoon hurling ash and rock high into the air. 23 people made it off the island, five of them died the rest were being treated for injuries and including severe burns. It was earlier estimated the number still on the island was in double digit. The eruption occurred just after 2 pm (0100 GMT) thrusting a thick plume of white ash 12, 000 feet into the sky. Seconds before, live camera feeds showed a group of more than a half dozen people walking on the crater floor. Then the images went black.

   A considerable number of those caught up in the disaster are believed to be Australian, according to the officials in Canberra. As many as 30 of those involved are also believed to be cruise passengers on a day trip from Vessel Ovation of the seas, Kevin O’ Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of Industry body, said the Newzealand Cruise Association.

   Newzealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said about 100 tourists were on or around white island volcano when it erupted on Monday.