Eruption

Yesterday, the rainfall level was high, causing all the material from the top of the mountain to come down

The eruption pumped dark clouds of ash some 10 km into the air, prompting an evacuation of some nearby residents

Dormant since 1979, the volcano sends dark plumes of ash and smoke billowing into the sky

Scores of other farm animals on the island, like cows and goats, were killed in the eruption

Many residents abandoned livestock, pets after authorities sounded an alert that an explosive eruption could come

The families of the two missing people have been informed of this decision

Experts believe the two bodies were washed out to sea

Two of the bodies still remain missing

Police announced a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the deaths, injuries

'Whakaari', as it is known in Maori, is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano