Grieving families sang traditional Maori songs as New Zealand military specialists went to a volcanic island and recovered six bodies of the 16 people who died in an eruption.
Two helicopters lifted off Friday landed on White Island, where eight people were killed in the eruption Monday.
The bodies were airlifted to a ship and will be transferred to the mainland later for identification.
Police said the families cheered when they were told of the successful recovery of the six bodies and expressed joy and relief. Divers are working at sea and a flight will be conducted later to look for the other two victims.
New Zealand police and military specialists had launched the risky operation to recover the eight bodies of the victims of the volcanic eruption.
Toxic gases are being emitted on the island and scientists warn another eruption is possible. The military specialists were wearing protective clothing and using breathing apparatuses during the mission.
Scientists have warned that gases on the island are so toxic and corrosive that a single inhalation could be fatal.
Some of those who were exploring the island at the time of the eruption were passengers from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
New Zealand police said they were opening a criminal investigation into the deaths on the volcanic island.
Survivors of the eruption ran into the sea to escape the scalding steam and ash and emerged covered in burns. That's according to those who first helped them.
Questions have been raised about why tourists were allowed to visit White lsland, located about 29 miles off the coast of country's north island, due to recent seismic activity. Scientists noted an uptick in volcanic activity on the island, and the GeoNet agency said a moderate eruption did occur, and the organization elevated the alert level to four. Five represents a major eruption on their scale.
