An aerial photo shows White Island, New Zealand, after a volcanic eruption on Monday, December 9.
In photos: Volcano erupts on New Zealand's White Island
An aerial photo shows White Island, New Zealand, after a volcanic eruption on Monday, December 9.
George Novak/AP

Updated 1:23 AM EST, Tue December 10, 2019

A volcanic eruption on New Zealand's White Island has killed several people and injured at least a dozen more.

According to a statement by New Zealand Police, there were "no signs of life" on the island late Monday night, after a number of aerial reconnaissance flights over White Island. Both locals and tourists have been caught up in the disaster, police said in a statement earlier in the day.

The White Island, or Whakaari volcano, is New Zealand's most active cone volcano according to the GeoNet website. It has been built up by more than 150,000 years of volcanic activity.

A makeshift memorial is seen in front of cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, in Tauranga, New Zealand, December 10. There were believed to be at least 30 passengers from the ship taking a tour of the island when the eruption took place.
A makeshift memorial is seen in front of cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, in Tauranga, New Zealand, December 10. There were believed to be at least 30 passengers from the ship taking a tour of the island when the eruption took place.
Nick Perry/AP
Michael Schade, a visitor to the island, captured this photo from a boat, moments after the eruption began.
Michael Schade, a visitor to the island, captured this photo from a boat, moments after the eruption began.
Michael Schade/@sch/Twitter
Tour operators evacuate tourists from White Island.
Tour operators evacuate tourists from White Island.
Michael Schade/@sch/Twitter
Emergency services attend to a person injured in the eruption, after arriving at the Whakatane Airfield.
Emergency services attend to a person injured in the eruption, after arriving at the Whakatane Airfield.
Alan Gibson/New Zealand Herald via AP
An image from a camera run by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) at the crater on White Island appears to show a group of people close to its rim, just minutes before the eruption.
An image from a camera run by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) at the crater on White Island appears to show a group of people close to its rim, just minutes before the eruption.
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences via AP
Jon Arrieta, who captured this photo of the ash cloud, told CNN he left White Island just one hour before the eruption.
Jon Arrieta, who captured this photo of the ash cloud, told CNN he left White Island just one hour before the eruption.
Jon Arrieta
Coastguard rescue boats arrive at a marina near Whakatane on December 9.
Coastguard rescue boats arrive at a marina near Whakatane on December 9.
John Boren/Getty Images
Tour operators prepare to evacuate visitors who were on the island during the eruption.
Tour operators prepare to evacuate visitors who were on the island during the eruption.
Michael Schade/@sch/Twitter
Emergency crews are seen at the Whakatane Airport on December 9.
Emergency crews are seen at the Whakatane Airport on December 9.
Getty Images
A view of the eruption from the sea.
A view of the eruption from the sea.
Michael Schade/@sch/Twitter
A rescue helicopter arrives at the Whakatane Airport.
A rescue helicopter arrives at the Whakatane Airport.
John Boren/Getty Images
The eruption on White Island is viewed from the Bay of Plenty coastline on December 9.
The eruption on White Island is viewed from the Bay of Plenty coastline on December 9.
John Boren/Getty Images