Ten companies and three people have been accused of failing to meet their safety obligations in the 2019 eruption of the White Island volcano in New Zealand that killed 22 people, WorkSafe announced on Monday (December 1). agency ensuring compliance with occupational safety standards.
Read also: New Zealand: opening of a criminal investigation after the volcanic eruption that killed 14 people
This agency examined the reasons why 47 people, mostly Australian tourists, were on the volcanic island on December 9, 2019 when the eruption occurred.
The volcano's alert level had been raised a few weeks earlier and WorkSafe director Phil Parkes said an investigation determined the charges were justified.
“This deeply tragic event was unexpected, but that doesn't mean it was unpredictable,”
he told reporters.
"The victims, whether employees or visitors, all hoped to go to the island knowing that the structures in charge had done what was necessary to watch over their health and safety,"
said Phil Parkes.
The case will be examined on December 15 by a court.
Read also: Volcanological tourism, a risky activity
The director of WorkSafe, however, refused to reveal the names of the individuals and entities involved.
These would be tourism professionals as well as public services responsible for overseeing this type of excursion on this volcanic island located in the north of New Zealand.
According to Phil Parkes, the companies sued are liable to fines of up to 1.5 million New Zealand dollars (880,000 euros) and 176,000 euros for individuals.
This is the largest and most complex investigation ever conducted by his agency, he said.
Another investigation is underway, led by a forensic doctor, to determine whether criminal action should be taken.
However, its conclusions will not be known until the cases managed by Worksafe have been concluded.
"The forensic pathologist's investigation of the people who died in the White Island volcano eruption will remain in abeyance while the legal process is initiated by other services,"
said a spokesperson for the medical examiner.
