Five dead in New Zealand volcano explosion
It’s now after 10 p.m. in Whakatane, the town on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island which is closest to White Island.
Home to around 30,000 people, Whakatane rarely hits headlines, even in New Zealand. It’s a quiet beach town, with a large Maori population — the country’s indigenous people. For those wanting to head to White Island, it’s often the launch point.
At about 48 kilometers (30 miles) from shore, White Island is visible from Whakatane. Standing on the beach at Whakatane, it’s not uncommon to see tendrils of smoke above the island.
After hearing about the eruption on Monday, Bobby Bell, a 35-year-old American who is staying with his girlfriend in Whakatane, came into the town center.
There was smoke coming from the island, but it looked «fairly normal — some days you see it smoking,» he said. He saw a flurry of activity: ambulances, boats, and helicopters flying ahead. «At first, I had heard there were a 100 or so people in jeopardy,» he said. «It’s crazy to think that it actually happened here.»
Bell tried to see what was happening, but part of the waterfront was blocked off by authorities. He said his friend had seen a boat coming to shore, covered in ash.
Local resident Ross Mckenzie, 69, said the island had looked more smoky recently, but the tour groups go out there everyday. He believed today’s eruption had taken the tour groups by surprise.
