A small group of specialists working to recover bodies from a New Zealand volcano will do everything they can to return victims to their families, the country's prime minister says.
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Jacinda Ardern says a highly-trained group of recovery experts is part way through a very dangerous mission to give grieving families some sense of closure.
"We just want to bring everyone home," Ms Ardern told ABC radio on Friday, as the mission took place on New Zealand's ash covered White Island.
Australians are among those killed in Monday's eruption, and some of their bodies remain on the island.
Drones have been used to pinpoint the location of six bodies, and preparations are now being made to airlift them from the island. The location of another two has been more difficult to ascertain.
Ms Ardern says the team is equipped to spend several hours on the island, which remains shrouded in toxic gas. There are also fears of a fresh eruption.
But data indicating a drop in tremor activity has allowed Friday's mission to proceed.
"We are in the middle of the operation. We've had defence force personnel on the island since approximately 7.20am New Zealand time this morning," she said.
"Their role, obviously, is to gather those who have perished on the island ... this is obviously something that we've been wanting to undertake since Monday but the conditions have been difficult."
Ms Ardern said time was critical, and recovery experts would spend as little time as possible on the island given the risks.
"They are trying to do it at a pace that means they are safe, and can leave as soon as possible."
Australian survivors, some of them still in critical condition, are being returned home so they can be close to their families.
Eight are now in hospitals in NSW and Victoria, with two more expected to arrive soon.
"My understanding is that from today, we should be getting close to having almost every Australian victim back home and in Australia's care," Ms Ardern said.
She repeated her promise for a thorough investigation into why tourists were allowed to explore the volcano given elevated concerns about its heightened level of activity.
"People deserve to have their questions answered," she said.
Australian Associated Press
