Five people from a Royal Caribbean International cruiseship have been confirmed dead and many more remain injured or missing following the eruption of a volcano they were visiting on an organized tour while on a cruise around New Zealand.
A total of 47 people, the majority of whom were passengers or crew on Royal Caribbean’s 168,700-gt cruiseship Ovation of the Seas (built 2016), were on Whakaari/White Island, a live volcano off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island when it erupted abruptly yesterday afternoon.
The volcano blasted plumes of white smoke, ash and rock debris more than 3.5 kilometres into the sky, according to local media reports.
A total of 39 people were rescued from the island, five of whom later died. Many of the others rescued are being treated for severe burns and other injuries.
Eight people remain missing.
New Zealand police officials say it is unlikely that anyone left on the island would still be alive.
The excursion took place while the Ovation of the Seas was docked in the port of Tauranga while of a cruise around New Zealand that had originated in Sydney, Australia.
The ship remained docked in Tauranga on Tuesday.
Royal Caribbean said in a press statement that it has deployed staff from its Sydney and Auckland offices to the ship to provide assistance to passengers and their families
"The news from White Island is devastating. The details that are emerging are heartbreaking ,” the company said .
“ We are working to help our guests and the authorities in the aftermath of this tragedy in any way we can.
“ We are communicating with our guests and their families. We’re making sure they are taken care of in terms of medical help, counseling, accommodations, and transport. Our hearts go out to them, and we want to be as supportive as we can. ”
The cruise operator added that it was grateful for the work of all the first responders and medical personnel.
Whakaari/White Island is a popular tourist destination, attracting around 10,000 visitors per year. While constantly active, it last erupted in 2013.
