Daily Mail – Up to 20 people have been injured – some critical – after a volcano erupted off the coast of New Zealand. The eruption happened at White Island, just off New Zealand’s coastline, at about 2.15 pm local time on Monday. A rescue operation is currently underway to save people who were pictured on a camera at 2.10 pm inside the crater minutes before the explosion. Judy Turner, the Mayor of Whakatane confirmed tourists on the island have been injured during the explosion. A spokeswoman for Tourism Bay of Plenty
said Volcanic Helicopters and one boat have still not been accounted for. A White Island Tours boat carrying visitors was also close to the island, which is 48kms from the Bay of Plenty. Some of the people who nearby had critical injuries, according to the New Zealand Herald. An emergency operation center has reportedly been established at Whakatane Hospital. Family members of people who were on the island at the time are slowly arriving on the wharf, waiting for any updates, according to local media. One rescue helicopter is on the way while others situated nearby are on standby. READ MORE