Popsugar News Natural Disaster Pictures of the White Island Volcano Eruption in New Zealand Tourists Capture Harrowing Videos as New Zealand's White Island Volcano Erupts 9 December 2019 by Kelsey Garcia Image Source: Getty / Getty Images New Zealand Police confirmed that five people have died and eight are unaccounted for after the White Island, or Whakaari, volcano erupted on Monday. The volcano is a common tourist attraction, and an estimated 47 people, consisting of both locals and tourists, were on White Island at the time of its eruption in the afternoon. Though dozens of people were rescued by boat in the immediate aftermath, emergency responders are currently unable to access the island. White Island is considered to be New Zealand's most active cone volcano, and its last major eruption lasted from 1975 to 2000. There were, however, smaller episodes in 2012, 2013, and 2016. Photos and videos captured by those who were rescued are now offering a harrowing look at the natural disaster. Michael Schade, who happened to be waiting for a boat with his family at the time of eruption, wrote on Twitter, "This is so hard to believe. Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before. My thoughts with the families of those currently unaccounted for, the people recovering now, and especially the rescue workers." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aline Moura (@alismoura) on Dec 8, 2019 at 11:34pm PST 1 / 6 My god, White Island volcano in New Zealand erupted today for first time since 2001. My family and I had gotten off it 20 minutes before, were waiting at our boat about to leave when we saw it. Boat ride home tending to people our boat rescued was indescribable. #whiteisland pic.twitter.com/QJwWi12Tvt— Michael Schade (@sch) December 9, 2019 2 / 6 This is so hard to believe. Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before. My thoughts with the families of those currently unaccounted for, the people recovering now, and especially the rescue workers… pic.twitter.com/mn704hobRk— Michael Schade (@sch) December 9, 2019 3 / 6 Image Source: Getty / Getty Images 4 / 6 Image Source: Getty / Getty Images 5 / 6 Image Source: Getty / Getty Images 6 / 6 Natural DisasterNew ZealandWorld News