Dreamworld staff begin optional return to work almost week on from fatal ride accident.

About 200 staff members at Dreamworld returned to work today as part of a “cautious and staged” recovery following the deaths of four people on a ride last week.

Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozbeh Araghi died when their raft on the Thunder River Rapids ride flipped over on Tuesday afternoon.

Two children who were also in the raft survived the accident.

At an afternoon press conference, Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said it was optional for staff to return to work today.

“Staff who are at work today are here because they want to be,” he said.

“As I said on Saturday, all staff will be paid during our closure period regardless of their attendance here at the park.

“We will continue to have counsellors available for our staff to talk to for some time.”

Mr Davidson previously said the park would not reopen until the funerals for the four victims were held.

“We will not be making a decision or providing a timeframe at any stage this week,” he said.

Earlier today, police were seen removing rafts from the Thunder River Rapids ride as part of their ongoing investigation.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.

© 2016 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved. Read the ABC Disclaimer here.