About 100 tourists were on the island or near it when the volcano erupted, says New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a first statement.

- At the moment, we cannot account for all persons, she says.

- A number of people have been injured and transported to the coast.

The island is also called Whakaari and is located in the Bay of Plenty, about five miles north of the North Island coast.

Increased activity

Geologists have noted an increase in volcano activity. It is unclear why so many tourists could still stay nearby, writes the news agency AP.

The beaches along the Bay of Plenty are popular with tourists. Police are urging the public to avoid areas close to the volcano, including Muriwai Drive and Whakatane Heads at the outlet of the Whakatan River in the Pacific.