Police in New Zealand plan to recover the bodies of those left on White Island tomorrow, following Monday's volcanic eruption.
At least eight people have died, while eight others remain missing but are presumed dead.
Experts say the likelihood of another eruption in the next 24 hours remains high.
Earlier today the country's GeoNet agency said there was a 50-60% chance - or medium likelihood - of a significant eruption occurring in the next 24 hours.
However, officials have confirmed that specialists from New Zealand's defence force and police force are planning to undertake the recovery operation on Friday morning.
Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement said authorities had a "plan, the resources and the capability" to recover the bodies from the island.
He said: "A lot has to go right for us tomorrow to make this work.
"There is no zero risk option in regard to the plan but we have carefully considered it. We don’t expect the risk to change tonight or tomorrow but we have planned for it."
He added: "The plan is contingent on a number of risk factors which will be assessed at the time. These factors include the conditions on the island and the weather."
Conditions on the island have so far this week have led to authorities holding off on the recovery operation.
Recovery
The brother of guide Hayden Marshall-Inman - one of those who died on White Island - had appealed to the New Zealand government to let him go and retrieve his brother's body, asking for a pardon if he did break the rules to do so.
Speaking on TVNZ, helicopter pilot Mark Inman claimed that there'd been "two perfect opportunities" to get to the island - and expressed frustration over authorities' response to the situation and their communication with families.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she wouldn't be drawn into the "hypothetical situations" around pardons - but said the local helicopter pilots would be involved in the operation.
She added: "We know that we need to make sure that we are giving as much information to families as possible.
"I don't know that that happened as well as it could... I hope that continues to improve, and certainly that's the expectation I've set."
Meanwhile, 21 injured patients remain in burns units across New Zealand following the eruption on Monday.
Seven out of 24 Australians impacted have been flown back to Australia, while another six will be repatriated in the next 24 hours to burns units - a move which will free up resources in New Zealand.
