A military operation to retrieve eight bodies from the White Island volcano in New Zealand has been a partial success, with six victims of Monday’s earthquake being taken off the island. Divers searched the surrounding waters but two bodies remained unaccounted for.

More information emerged on Friday afternoon about the mission to recover the bodies, which was carried out by a specialised rescue team, thought to include SAS soldiers. Wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus, the rescuers landed on the island at 8am and recovered the bodies to a central point before helicopters took them to HMNZ Wellington.

An attempt to recover one of the remaining bodies from waters near the island was abandoned due to weather conditions, said police commissioner Mike Bush. Police divers will continue their search on Saturday.

The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, expressed her sympathy for the families of the victims.

“I want to start by acknowledging the families who have experienced such grief and such loss since the extraordinary tragedy on Monday and that today is all about reuniting them with their loved ones,” she said.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to the rescuers who recovered six bodies from White Island on Friday. Photograph: Getty Images

Ardern also acknowledged the courage of the rescuers. She confirmed that all but one of the Australians injured in the eruption had been transferred to hospitals in Australia. Police liaison officers have been provided to all families of the victims.

'Absolutely heartbroken': families mourn White Island's victims Read more

As the recovery operation was carried out, families of the victims waited at the marae in nearby Whakatāne. Locals gathered at the wharf where they had a hazy view of the island.

Joshua Kauta, 70, a Ngati Awa local, told the Guardian he was “extremely relieved” most of the bodies were on their way home, but the operation was “scary” to witness.

“None of this should have happened and it scares me to think of the risks those guys have had to take – anything could happen, she’s unpredictable. She shouldn’t be taken for granted anymore.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Members of the local community gathered to sing songs and offers prayers for the rescuers’ safe return. Photograph: Eleanor Ainge Roy

Shortly after dawn on Friday about 80 members of the local Bay of Plenty community had gathered on the waterfront to sing songs and offer karakia (prayers) for the rescuers’ safe return. Some said they had taken the day off work and intended to remain in place until everyone was back.

“It’s like being here is going to help guide them safely home … just in a spiritual way,” said Dee-Danya Hale-Riddiford, 30.

'Absolutely heartbroken': families mourn White Island's victims Read more

The level of volcanic tremor remains high, GNS science said, but had declined somewhat overnight, making the rescue mission slightly safer.

Families with loved ones on the island supported the police’s retrieval plan, and could be seen boarding a White Island tour boat before dawn to attend a prayer session one kilometre off the island before the mission started. Families were accompanied by a senior Australian diplomat, senior New Zealand police officers and tribal leaders of Ngati Awa.

Families returned to port about 8am and were seen hugging and embracing members of the local community on the dock, who had arrived to welcome them with songs, flowers and heart-shaped helium balloons, with the words “I love you” on them.

Clements said the families’ experience at sea was “emotional” but had helped them feel close to their lost loved ones. He said: “They were able to grieve and felt a sense of fulfilment.”

Clements said police had decided they had to act this week, because the chance of another eruption destroying the bodies forever was too great.

He said he had no knowledge of a similar mission being carried out anywhere in the world, but the planning team had taken extensive international advice.

The six bodies are now being flown to Auckland, where they will be examined by the coroner. Many of the victims’ families are heading to Auckland to be near their loved ones.