White Island, the most active volcano in New Zealand, erupted in 2019, killing 22 people. Whakaari Management Ltd., I.D. tour operators, and island owners. Tours NZ Ltd. and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd. were put on trial for allegedly not doing enough to protect visitors and employees.
The 20 tourists and two tour operators who died were not given any notice of the risks, according to the prosecution’s argument, which claimed that the eruption was not only predictable but foreseeable.
A volcano in New Zealand
The tourist industry on Whakaari was perilous since it required sending visitors on excursions to an active volcano and placing them in a situation where it was impossible to anticipate when an eruption may take place. 14 Australians, 5 Americans, 2 New Zealanders, and 1 German were among the fatalities.
The volcano’s owner failed to recognize the risk, speak with tour operators about the dangers, make sure that visitors and personnel had the proper personal protective equipment, and provide a suitable method of escape.
- New Zealand volcano erupted, 22 dead; Whakaari, tour operators, and operators involved.
- Owner neglected volcano risk, safety, and escape methods.
- GNS Science restricts workers from visiting the 2016 eruption crater floor.
Tour guides were left to keep an eye on the shifting risk by the corporation. On April 27, 2016, there was no one on the island and an eruption happened without notice in the middle of the night.
Because of the increased level of volcanic instability following the 2016 eruption, New Zealand’s geological agency GNS Science has prohibited workers from visiting the crater floor until further notice.
Several tour guides continued taking visitors to the crater starting the day following the eruption even though they were aware of this.
Last week, three helicopter tour operators admitted to safety violations. The maximum fine for each company is 1.5 million New Zealand dollars (USD 927,000), while the maximum fine for each of the accused brothers is 300,000 New Zealand dollars (USD 185,000). Without a jury, the trial is expected to last for 16 weeks.
