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6 bodies recovered from deadly New Zealand volcano eruption

The remains of six victims of a deadly volcano eruption in New Zealand have been recovered.

Sixteen people were killed on White Island when a volcano there unexpectedly erupted Monday, The Associated Press reported.

Eight military specialists recovered six of the eight victims believed to be on the island, and the bodies will be taken to Auckland for identification, CNN reported.

Due to toxic gases still being released from the volcano, the team had to wear protective suits and breathing gear to be on the island, the AP reported.

The search had to end as air supplies ran low, the New York Times reported.

An additional recovery mission is planned to find a tour guide and boat captain who had taken tourists to the island. At least one of them is expected to be in the water, but the other person’s location is unknown, the AP reported.

Forty-seven tourists, many from a Royal Caribbean cruise, and guides were on the island when the volcano exploded. Many of the people who survived were burned. Fifteen tourists not from Australia are in burn units across the country with 11 listed as very critical. Thirteen Australians who were part of the tour have all returned to their home country, the AP reported.

Skin banks are sending tissues to hospitals to help treat the burns, as medical teams from Australia, Britain and the U.S. travel to New Zealand to help treat patients, the AP reported.