at Least one person is reported to be dead after a volcano on the popular tourist destination of White Island, New Zealand erupted on Monday.

in Addition, the lack of a yet unknown number of people.

"Based on the information we have, it is likely that there will be more deaths, ed.)," says superintendent John Tims at a news conference, according to The Guardian.

In a previous opinion, informed the police in New Zealand, fewer than 50 people are believed to have been present on the island when the volcano suddenly erupted.

There has not yet succeeded in finding all the persons who were staying on the island.

"Of them that are transported into the country, has at least been seriously hurt. Redningsredskaber working to ensure the safety of all involved," says a statement from police.

During a previous press conference informed the New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, that it was thought about 100 persons were present on the island when the volcano erupted. The figures are, however, now downgraded.

According to the prime minister, it is yet too early to say how seriously people are hurt, but she explained that she had been informed that several of those who have received treatment, are tourists.

"All our thoughts go out to those affected at this time," said the prime minister at the press conference.

Several of the tourists, who on Monday visited the White Island, from the cruise ship 'Ovation of the Seas', which docked in the port of Tauranga on Monday morning. This confirms a spokesman for the Royal Caribbean company to the New Zealand Herald.

"We have no further details at the moment," informs the spokesperson.

the volcanic island White Island is located about 50 kilometers from the east coast of New Zealand's north island.

the New Zealand national disaster response warns that it is dangerous to reside in the vicinity of the volcano, also known as Whakaari.

the Volcano went after several weeks of rumblings erupted on Monday afternoon shortly after two o'clock local time.

the ambulance service St. John's has previously stated that 20 people are receiving treatment.

Footage from a camera which is mounted on the volcanic island, showing people walking towards the volcano just before it erupts, writes the New Zealand Herald.

In november raised the the authorities the alert level for an outbreak on the White Island for the two, because researchers had observed the increasing volumes of sulphur dioxide - a principal indicator of rising magma deep inside the volcano.

on Monday afternoon the alert level was raised to four, which is the second-highest step on the scale, writes the New Zealand Herald.

White Island is a so-called stratovolcano, which is built up of many layers of lava.

/ritzau/