More details have emerged on the White Island volcanic eruption that left scores of people dead.
Law enforcement authorities have told members of the press that it is highly unlikely that anyone who was on the island when the eruption occurred survived.
“I would strongly suggest that there is no one that has survived on the island,” Police police deputy commissioner, John Tims said.
The country's prime minister Jacinda Ardern said that the scale of the eruption had been devastating.
“The scale of this tragedy is devastating,” the prime minister said in parliament. “To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your grief and sorrow and we are devastated," the PM said as quoted by the Guardian.
Victims of the event have been reported to have suffered horrific burns.
A rescuer who was involved in the rescue efforts talked to the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC about a Chernoby-like scene.
The death toll has been confirmed by law enforcement authorities to have risen to 6 people.
“There’s many who have suffered inhalation injuries, damage to lungs, so they’re requiring airway support. At this stage, that’s the majority of the people who are in the hospitals,” Dr Pete Watson, a Ministry of Health official told the Guardian.
Cable News Network (CNN) has reported that the police are not treating the investigation as a criminal investigation at this stage.