Heroism, devastation after deadly NZ volcano eruption

Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern (second from right) with NZ Police Superintendent Bruce Bird (blue uniform) walking back to the Whakatane district council building after speaking to the media. Ardern expressed "unfathomable grief" after a volcanic eruption on a popular tourist island that has claimed 13 lives. - AFP

WHAKATANE (New Zealand): Tales of heroism, devastation and horrifying injuries emerged Tuesday (Dec 10) after New Zealand's smouldering White Island volcano exploded, killing an estimated 13 people and turning what should have been an intrepid day trip into a nightmare.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there were five confirmed fatalities and eight more people were presumed dead after Monday's eruption, while dozens of injured had been airlifted to hospital burns units across the country.