Local authorities say that eight people remain missing and are presumed dead after a volcanic eruption in White Island on Monday.
As many as 47 people, mostly tourists from a cruise liner moored nearby, were present on the island at the time of the eruption. First responders were able to retrieve five bodies in the immediate aftermath of the explosion.
There are reports that local scientists had noted increased activity inside the volcano in the days leading up to the eruption, raising questions as to why tourists were allowed to walk on the island.