Rescuers land on the White Island after volcanic eruption in New Zealand, Dec 9, 2019. Photo: Xinhua

The death toll from New Zealand's White Island volcanic eruption earlier this month has risen to 19, local police confirmed on Monday.

The bodies of two victims have not been recovered, they added.

A police spokesman said that they had been informed of the latest death of another person late Sunday in an Auckland hospital.

There were 14 patients being cared for at four hospitals around New Zealand, 10 of whom remained in critical condition, local media reported.

White Island, a volcanic island, is a famous tourist attraction which people can explore by boat or helicopter. But now all tourist trips to the island have been suspended by authorities.