At least five people have now been confirmed to have died after a volcano erupted off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, police confirmed on Monday.

READ ALSO: Five people confirmed dead after volcano eruption in New Zealand

New Zealand Deputy Commissioner John Tims said foreigners and New Zealand nationals were on White Island when the volcano erupted.

He said police are unsure of the exact number of people on the island but due to risks emergency services cannot access the island at the moment, as reported by Reuters.

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