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The death toll has risen to 14. Two people are still missing on the island and presumed dead, officials have said.
The six bodies were taken by helicopter to the HMS NZ Wellington, said Deputy Commissioner John Tims of the New Zealand Police.
The search team had to wear additional protective safety equipment, which slowed down the recovery process, a police spokeswoman told CNN.
White smoke was still billowing from the volcano Thursday. GeoNet, New Zealand’s hazard monitoring system, said Thursday evening there was still a “medium” likelihood of 50% to 60% of eruptive activity over the next 24 hours, making the military’s rescue mission a risky one.
White Island, about 31 miles (50 kilometers) off Whakatane on the country’s North Island, has been a popular tourist destination.
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