Royal Caribbean has issued hotline numbers for those concerned about relatives travelling aboard Ovation of the Seas, as the death toll following the volcano eruption in New Zealand rises.

The volcano erupted on New Zealand’s White Isle, also known as Whakaari, on Monday (9 December) at the local time of 2.11pm, killing at least five people, officials reported.

Police said fewer than 50 people were on the island at the time of the eruption, but more than 30 of them are believed to be Royal Caribbean cruise passengers and crew, who were visiting the popular tourist attraction on a shore excursion.

Ovation of the Seas, which had left Sydney last week on a 12-day cruise, had been moored at nearby coastal city Tauranga.

Tourists on sightseeing boat film clouds of ash and smoke soaring into the sky as their vessel moves away from erupting volcano on New Zealand's White Island.

At least five people were killed and many more remain missing after the eruption, officials say. https://t.co/JqD49YSVEp pic.twitter.com/jO4zbJq9bV

— ABC News (@ABC) December 9, 2019

Latest reports say that 13 people are presumed to have perished in the eruption, among those eight who are still missing on the island.

Twenty-seven people are said to have been taken to hospital to a third of their bodies, with others also suffering from inhalation burns. According to UK High Commissioner to New Zealand, Laura Clark, two of those are British women.

In the wake of the disaster, Royal Caribbean has issued hotline numbers (0800-014-8339 for the UK) for those concerned about relatives travelling on board Ovation of the Seas.

“The news from White Island is devastating. The details that are emerging are heartbreaking,” said Royal Caribbean in a statement. “We are working to help our guests and the authorities in the aftermath of this tragedy in any way we can.

“We are communicating with our guests and their families. We’re making sure they are taken care of in terms of medical help, counselling, accommodations, and transport. Our hearts go out to them, and we want to be as supportive as we can.

“Staff from our Sydney and Auckland offices office are already on-site, and we’re going to be offering all our resources while this terrible tragedy sorts out.

“We are grateful for the work of all the first responders and medical personnel. We also thank the prime minister and her team, the local authorities and everyone who has reached out to help with their kind thoughts and prayers.”

This article will be updated.