Hope fades for eight missing after New Zealand volcanic island erupts

SURVIVORS BURNT

Rescuers have been unable to access the island, which is covered in grey ash. GNS Science, New Zealand's geoscience agency, warned there was a 50/50 chance of another eruption in the coming 24 hours, as the volcano vent continued to emit "steam and mud jetting".

A New Zealand man, whose tour group was just leaving the island at the time of the eruption, said he helped pulled critically injured survivors into a boat.

Geoff Hopkins, 50, who was given the tour as a birthday gift, said many of the survivors had run into the sea to escape the eruption.

"They were just so massively burnt," he told the NZ Herald newspaper. "People were in shorts and T-shirts so there was a lot of exposed skin that was massively burnt."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday three Australians were feared to be among the confirmed fatalities, with 13 among the injured.

"I fear there is worse news to come," Morrison said.

Some 30 people were hospitalized, many with critical injuries, Ardern said, adding authorities were still assessing how close rescuers can get to the island.

"Ash is obviously significant," she said after visiting with first responders. "We've heard reports of one boat returning with up to half a meter of ash."

UK High Commissioner to NZ, Laura Clark, confirmed on Twitter that two British women were among the injured in hospital.