A New Zealand court on Monday convicted the owners of the tourism company exploring the Whakaari volcano, which erupted in 2019 and caused 22 deaths, for violating workplace safety laws.
The Auckland District Court has ruled that Whakaari Management, owned by brothers Andrew, James and Peter Buttle, failed to meet safety obligations ahead of a tourist visit to the volcano and will issue its ruling in February.
On December 9, 2019, Whakaari erupted when dozens of tourists were on or near the island, killing 22 people and injuring 25.
During the reading of the decision, Judge Evangelos Thomas highlighted that Whakaari Management did not take the necessary measures to avoid “exposing any person to the risk of death or serious injury,” according to the hearing followed virtually by the EFE news agency.
The magistrate explained that Whakaari Management, in family hands since 1936, made a serious mistake by not seeking more information from experts to reduce the risks linked to volcanic activity.
“It should not have been a surprise that Whakaari could erupt at any time and without warning, with risk of death and serious injury,” said the magistrate, who also dismissed another charge against the company related to the safety of its own workers. . . .
The trial began in July and survivors testified that they had not been adequately informed of the risks of the visit.
Whakaari erupted when it was at alert 2 (on a scale of 5), which predicted moderate volcanic activity, and when 47 people, mostly tourists, were on the island.
With today’s decision, Whakaari Management joins six other companies – which previously accepted the accusation – that could be fined up to 1.5 million New Zealand dollars (825 thousand euros) in hearings scheduled for February 2024.
Previously, New Zealand courts had dismissed charges against six other organizations and against the three Buttle brothers individually as directors of Whakaari Management.
Source: TSF
