A criminal investigation will be launched into the eruption of the volcano in New Zealand say police

A criminal investigation will be launched into the eruption of a volcano in New Zealand which killed at least five and injured dozens, New Zealand police have stated.

The investigation will investigate the actual circumstances of the deaths and injuries of the 50 people after the volcano erupted on White Island on Monday afternoon.

New Zealand Police’s deputy commissioner John Tims said that Work Safe New Zealand has opened a health and safety investigation into the eruption on the privately owned island that attracts more than 10,000 visitors every year.

7 days before the eruption the island’s volcanic activity level was increased to level two, which is deemed safe for tours to operate but obviously now this was not the case.

 Tims confirmed five people have died, 31 are in hospital, three have been discharged from hospital and eight people are missing “presumed dead” after the volcano erupted yesterday.

Those who are injured range in age from 13 to 72, with many suffering severe burns meaning there is a possibility not all will survive, doctors have stated.

Emergency services have not yet managed to get onto the red hot island – which is 30 mile  as it is still a “highly volatile environment” but a fleet of helicopters were sent over yesterday and they believe they saw six to 10 dead bodies covered in ash.