Reconnaissance flights over the White Island volcano have not identified any survivors according to police.
Smoke and ash continued to rise above the island after daybreak on Tuesday.
Tourists were seen walking inside the crater moments before it erupted.
The last police update said: “Based on the information we have, we do not believe there are any survivors on the island.”
Deputy Police Commissioner John Tims told reporters “both New Zealand and overseas tourists” were believed to be involved.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she knows that there will be a “huge amount of concern and anxiety for those who had loved ones on or around the island at the time”.
She reassured people the police were doing “everything they can”.
source: express.co.uk