WHAKATANE, New Zealand -- New Zealand police said Tuesday, December 10, they were opening a criminal investigation into the deaths of tourists on a volcanic island where a powerful eruption of ash and scalding steam occurred as dozens of people were exploring the barren landscape.
Five deaths were confirmed after the eruption of the White Island volcano on Monday, December 9. Eight other people are feared dead, but unstable conditions on the island were continuing to hinder a search. Police Deputy Commissioner John Tims did not go into details of the criminal investigation but said it would sit alongside an investigation by health and safety regulators.