White Island volcano eruption: Eerie photos of recovery operation

Pictures have emerged of the morbid operation to White Island to recover the bodies of those who died in the volcanic eruption.

A total of six bodies have now been removed from White Island, with two bodies still remaining.

It follows days of growing frustration from grieving families at delays in emergency services returning to the island to collect their loved ones.

Twenty four Australians were on the island at the time of the eruption and 12 were due to have been evacuated back to Australia over the next 24 hours.

Eight Australians have been confirmed by police as being killed in the disaster, and family members have spoken of 12 Australians presumed dead.