Blessings Performed Before Operation to Recover Bodies From White Island Volcano

Six bodies were recovered from White Island, New Zealand, on December 13, days after a deadly volcano eruption there killed more than a dozen people.

The volcano erupted on December 9 while a number of tourists were visiting the island. Eight people had already been confirmed dead following the disaster, however the recovery operation by the New Zealand Defence Force takes the death toll to 14.

Officials said they would conduct aerial and water searches for the two remaining victims who were missing and assumed dead.

Family and representatives of the victims arrived on the Bay of Plenty to take part in blessings ahead of the dangerous mission. This footage shows the ceremony, which took place on December 13. Credit: Kereama Wright, Mairanga Media via Storyful