New Zealand police say 8 missing after volcano eruption likely dead

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New Zealand police launched an investigation on Tuesday after the volcanic eruption on a tiny island popular with tourists.

Operation commander John Tims also warned the eight people still missing on White Island are likely dead.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NATIONAL OPERATION COMMANDER AND DEPUTY POLICE COMMISSIONER, JOHN TIMS, SAYING:

"I mean, we can never say 100 percent but I, I would strongly suggest that there is no one that has survived on the island. And I base that on the fact that those brave people that went across to the island yesterday and rescued a number of people, you know, said that they could not see anyone that was still alive."

WHITE FLASH

"If there is anyone criminally responsible for the deaths and injuries, it's early days yet, so we are just going to have to work through the evidence, talk to people and conduct the investigation."

Twenty-seven of the 31 people injured suffered severe burns, the government said, amid fears some could succumb to those wounds.