In pictures: Five dead, tourists stranded as New Zealand volcano erupts

This aerial photo shows White Island after its volcanic eruption in New Zealand. More casualties were feared on White Island, where the volcano erupted at about 2:11 p.m. (0111 GMT), police said.

The volcano on New Zealand's White Island spewing steam and ash moments after it erupted. Twenty-three people, some of them believed to be tourists from the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship, were rescued, police said, adding that others were still on the island.

Emergency services attend to an injured person arrvign at Whakatane Airfield after the White Island volcanic eruption. About 50 people were feared to have been nearby and several were seen near the rim of the crater minutes before the eruption.

Tour guides evacuate tourists on a boat shortly after the volcano eruption on White Island, New Zealand. St. John Ambulance said up to 20 people were believed to have been injured in the eruption, adding that a mobile triage unit was on its way. The organisation said it had sent seven helicopters to the island with medics onboard.

The volcano on New Zealand's White Island spewing steam and ash minutes following an eruption. The island's immediate surroundings were hazardous because of the eruption, the National Emergency Management Agency said in an statement, adding that falling ash might affect some areas.

Tour operators rescuing people minutes after the volcano on New Zealand's White Island erupted. The "short-lived eruption" showed no signs of escalating, New Zealand's geoscience agency GNS Science said in a statement.

The volcano on New Zealand's White Island spewing steam and ash. The White Island volcano is one of New Zealand's most active. It's last fatal eruption was in 1914, when it killed 12 sulphur miners. There was a short-lived eruption in April 2016.

Thick smoke from the volcanic eruption of Whakaari, also known as White Island, is seen in New Zealand.

A person injured by the White Island volcano eruption is wheeled into a waiting ambulance on a stretcher in Whakatane, New Zealand

Thick smoke from the volcanic eruption of Whakaari, also known as White Island, is seen from a distance of a vessel in New Zealand.

An aeriel view shows smoke billowing above the crater of Whakaari, also known as White Island, volcano as it erupts in New Zealand.

Smoke billows from Whakaari, also known as White Island, volcano as it erupts in New Zealand.

An aeriel view shows smoke billowing above the crater of Whakaari, also known as White Island, volcano as it erupts in New Zealand.