Dreadful what some tourists witnessed with the volcano eruption on White Island in New Zealand.
Apparently some didn't make it.
As I understand an eruption can suffocate and expose you to poisonous gasses (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide.) The air (what little there is) is hot and burns your body and lungs. I always thought as a kid, volcano...eh, no problem, just run faster than the lava or in a different direction. Now seeing those videos, it's no joke and how quickly that cloud spreads. Pompeii now makes a lot more sense.