New Zealand: PM says police doing 'everything they can' following deadly volcanic eruption

*NO CUTAWAYS AT SOURCE*
SOT, Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister: "We know that there were a number of tourists on or around the island at the time, both New Zealanders and visitors from overseas. I know there will be a huge amount of concern and anxiety for those who have loved ones on or around the island at the time, and I can assure them police are doing everything they can. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs have also stood up their systems to assist with any response required for those further afield." *GLITCH AT SOURCE*
SOT, Sarah Stuart-Black, Civil Defence Emergency Management Director: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today's eruption at White Island, and our immediate priority is helping those people. The New Zealand police are running the search and rescue operation and can certainly speak to that. But the National Emergency Management Agency coordination centre is activated, and we are working to assess the situation and coordinate any required government resources. The National Emergency Management Agency, together with the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management group, is leading the response."
SOT, John Tims, Deputy Commissioner of National Operation Command: "Firstly, we initially believed that there were 100 people on or near the island. We now know that there is fewer than 50. Some of these people have been transported to shore. However, there is a number still remaining on the island who are currently unaccounted for." *JUMP CUT AT SOURCE*
SOT, John Tims, Deputy Commissioner of National Operation Command: "A number of injured people have been transported to Whakatane Hospital and Middlemore Hospital. Emergency services are working to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including rescue staff. We are working at a pace to confirm the numbers of these involved. At this stage, it is too dangerous for police and rescue services to go to the island. However, we continue to assess the conditions, which would allow us to go onto the island. The island is currently covered in ash and volcanic material. We are taking expert advice with regards to the safety of any rescue attempt. We will provide more details as they come to hand."
SCRIPT
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed that "both New Zealanders and visitors from overseas" were on White Island when a volcano erupted there earlier in the day. Ardern spoke at a press conference alongside Civil Defence Emergency Management Director Sarah Stuart-Black and Deputy Commissioner of the National Operation Command John Tims in Wellington on Monday.
According to New Zealand police, at least five people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the eruption. The deputy commissioner of the National Operation Command said that there were "fewer than 50" people on or near the island during the volcanic eruption, adding that "there is a number still remaining on the island who are currently unaccounted for."
Ardern said that "I know there will be a huge amount of concern and anxiety for those who have loved ones on or around the island at the time, and I can assure them police are doing everything they can."
Tims noted that the island remains "covered in ash and volcanic material," which he said hinders rescue efforts.
"At this stage, it is too dangerous for police and rescue services to go to the island. However, we continue to assess the conditions, which would allow us to go onto the island," added Tims.
The volcano reportedly erupted on White Island at around 14:11 local time (01:11 GMT), sending plumes of smoke and ash into the sky.