Dramatic image of blazing tourist boat 60 people escaped from in New Zealand

All 60 people forced overboard after their tourist boat caught fire off the coast of New Zealand have been rescued, according to authorities.

eople stand on the shoreline as a tourist boat carrying 60 people burns out at sea off the coast of Whakatane, New Zealand, Monday, Jan 18, 2016. Image by (Whakatane Beacon via AP)

Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said the blaze broke out as the PeeJay was returning from White Island to the town of Whakatane.

She said all 53 passengers and seven crew members were forced overboard to escape the fire and smoke.

She said one passenger and one crew member were taken to a local hospital after suffering minor injuries and smoke inhalation.

Ms Perks said the boat was about 0.6 miles (1km) from shore when authorities were first notified of the incident, and they called on nearby boats to assist.

She said the PeeJay crew then sent a mayday to say they were abandoning ship.

Ms Perks said four other private vessels and the New Zealand Coastguard were able to get to the scene quickly and rescue everybody. She said the PeeJay later sank.

White Island, 31 miles (50km) off the coast of North Island, is volcanically active and popular with tourists.

(Press Association)