— With AAP.
On Monday afternoon, 47 people, including tourists visiting from Australia, the UK, the US and China, were on New Zealand’s Whakaari/White Island when it erupted, sending plumes of ash 3700 metres into the sky.
Since the incident occurred, six people have died, including one person who died from their injuries, and 31 victims who were caught up in the eruption, including 13 Australians, have been taken to hospital.
“Of the 24 [Australians on Wharaaki/White Island at the time of eruption], we have been able to ascertain overnight and this morning that 13 of those Australians are hospitalised across multiple hospitals in New Zealand,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
“There are 11 Australians that are still unaccounted for, and that we fear of the five deceased persons, that three of those, up to three are Australians, but that is not yet confirmed.”
North Sydney couple Anthony Langford and Kristine Langford, as well as their two children – Jesse 19, and Winona 17, were listed as missing following the incident.
The family of four were travelling on a cruise ship when they took a tour of White Island.
"All we know is that they went on a cruise on White Island, there was an explosion and they're missing," Anthony Langford's brother told Seven News.
"We don't know anything at all. I hope that anyone who knows anything, who sees my brother or his wife or his kids, can notify the media and they can notify us."
On Wednesday morning, Jesse was found alive in a New Zealand hospital. His father, mother and sister Winona remain unaccounted for.
It's believed relatives of the Langford family are on their way to New Zealand to be with Jesse, who is currently in hospital.
Karla Mathews, Richard Elzer and Jason Griffiths
Karla Mathews, Richard Elzer and Jason Griffiths travelled to the island together.
Griffiths, 33, who is from Coffs Harbour, is understood to be in hospital with serious burns.
Mathews and Elzer, however, are still missing.
Feature Image: Facebook.
For more information, you can visit the Red Cross website Restoring Family Links.
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