New Zealand volcano: Eight still missing after eruption on White Island which left five dead and injured 34

Eight people are still missing following the eruption on a volcanic island in New Zealand which killed five and left 34 injured.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said those missing or injured following the incident on the White Island included New Zealanders who were part of a tour operation, as well as tourists from Australia, the US, the UK, China and Malaysia.

Superintendent Bruce Bird, the acting assistant commissioner for Districts, said the eight missing are unlikely to have survived.

He did not confirm the nationalities of those eight people or say how they had come to be on the island, where 47 people had travelled.

A total of 31 people remain in hospital, several in a critical condition. Another three were discharged from hospital overnight.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday morning local time, Ms Ardern said that New Zealanders, as well as tourists from the UK, US, Australia, China and Malaysia, are among the missing and injured.

She said: "To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your unfathomable grief at this moment in time and in your sorrow.

"Your loved ones stood alongside Kiwis who are hosting you here and we grieve with you and we grieve with them."

She added that there were two groups on the island - those who were able to be evacuated and those who were close to the eruption - but there were no signs of life "at any point" during flights over the island.

Ms Ardern added there are still a number of people in critical condition with burns being the most prominent injury.

When asked if there was any chance any of the missing people survived, Superintendent Bird said: "The pilot went out there and spent about 45 minutes and has provided a pretty good indication that we do not believe anyone else has survived the explosion."

He added that "some people" could be seen from the helicopter.

The update came as a tour guide was named as one of those killed in the eruption .

White Island erupted with a large plume of ash and steam on Monday while dozens of tourists were exploring New Zealand's most active volcano.

Rescue teams were unable to access the island on foot due to unstable conditions hours after the eruption, which occurred shortly after 2pm local time on Monday.

The New Zealand Red Cross has activated a missing list to allow people to self-register as safe and well, or to register details of a person they have lost contact with. Information on the list is submitted by members of public.

Angela Sutherland, general manager of disaster risk management at the New Zealand Red Cross, urged anyone worried about friends or family to "first contact them as you normally would".

"Using your own channels can help to speed up the process and helps response agencies as well," she said.

"If you cannot make contact, please register them through our Family Links website."

A spokesman for the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said they are seeking further information.

White Island is in the Bay of Plenty , near the town of Tauranga on North Island.

The active volcano is a tourist hotspot but has erupted several times before, most recently in 2016 and during the 2012/13 period.

Footage posted on social media by tourists in nearby boats showed thick smoke billowing up to 12,000ft in the air as people could be spotted along the shore of the island.

Some of those involved were guests from the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.

A Royal Caribbean spokesman said: "We are working together with local authorities, and we are providing all the help and care we can to our guests and their families, including offering medical resources and counselling.

"We are also sending staff members from both our ship and our Sydney and Auckland offices to assist family members however possible.

"Ovation of the Seas will remain in port as as long as needed to assist with the situation."

The vessel was due to sail to the capital Wellington on Monday night but the company said it would remain in the Tauranga port overnight until it learned more about the situation.