NEW Zealand military specialists wearing protective gear have recovered the bodies of six victims of a volcanic eruption on Monday.

The experts – six men and two women wearing hooded protective suits and using breathing gear – landed on White Island by helicopter yesterday and found six of the eight bodies thought to be there.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a news conference: “We know that reunification won’t ease that sense of loss or grief, because I don’t think anything can. But we felt an enormous duty of care as New Zealanders to make sure that we brought their family members back.”

The families cheered and expressed joy and relief on being told of the successful recovery, Police Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha said. “They’ve got their loved ones coming home.”

The bodies were airlifted to a nearby ship, where the risky operation was being monitored.

Toxic volcanic gases are still venting from the crater, and scientists have said another eruption is possible. The bodies were to be taken to Auckland for identification. They are thought to be Australians, who were most of the visitors to the island on Monday when the volcano erupted.

Another recovery operation was planned for the last two bodies, thought to be New Zealanders – a tour guide and a boat captain who had taken tourists to the island.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush said police divers were deployed to search the sea around the island and aerial surveillance would be used to try to locate them.

“We do believe that at least one of them is in the water and the other one we are unsure,” Bush said at a news briefing.

Scientists have warned that the volcano is still “highly volatile”.