Two more people have died following the eruption of a volcanic island in New Zealand, bringing the official death toll to eight.
Police said the victims died in hospital from injuries sustained during the incident on White Island.
Six people had already been confirmed to have died with another 30 injured, 25 of whom were critically ill with severe burns.
White Island erupted with a large plume of ash and steam on Monday while dozens of tourists were exploring New Zealand's most active volcano.
Police believe another eight bodies remain on the ash-covered island, but cannot reach them because of volcanic activity in the past day.
Two unidentified British women are among the injured.
Surgeons said the chemicals thrown up in the eruption made treatment more complicated than normal burns cases, with 22 of the injured still needing breathing support.
A senior medical official said the country needs to order an extra 1.2 million square centimetres of skin to treat the victims, many of whom had sustained burns on 95 per cent of their skin.
Counties Manukau District Health Board's chief medical officer Dr Peter Watson told reporters that the additional amount of skin had been ordered from the United States.
“Two further people have died following the eruption on Whakaari/White Island, bringing the official toll to eight,” police said.
“One was being treated at Middlemore Hospital and one at Waikato Hospital.
"Police remain focused on supporting families at this terrible time.”
