WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – The trial has commenced for the owners of White Island, also known as Whakaari, and two tour operators who are accused of failing to provide adequate safety measures to protect tourists and staff before the 2019 volcanic eruption that claimed the lives of 22 people. Prosecutors have argued that the tourists received no health and safety warnings before landing on New Zealand’s most active volcano.
On December 9, 2019, a sudden eruption of superheated steam occurred on White Island, where 47 people were present at the time. Tragically, 22 individuals lost their lives, while most of the survivors suffered severe burns.
The trial, taking place at the Auckland District Court, has charged the island’s owners, Andrew, James, and Peter Buttle, their company Whakaari Management Ltd., and tour operators I.D. Tours NZ Ltd. and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd., with failing to adequately protect tourists and staff.
Prosecutor Kristy McDonald argued during the opening of the case that although the eruption was unpredictable, it was foreseeable. McDonald stated that the 20 tourists and two tour guides who lost their lives were not given any warning about the risks associated with visiting an active and unpredictable volcano. She emphasized that visiting White Island involved inherent risks, and the lack of warnings deprived visitors of making informed decisions.
McDonald further accused the company that owned the volcano of failing to comprehend the risks, neglecting to consult with tour operators about the hazards, failing to provide suitable personal protective equipment, and not establishing an adequate evacuation plan.
The trial revealed that the company had left tour operators responsible for monitoring the changing risk. McDonald pointed out that a previous eruption occurred in 2016, which should have prompted a review of the risk assessment by the owners.
Among those who lost their lives, 14 were Australians, five were Americans, two were New Zealanders, and one was German.
The trial is expected to last for 16 weeks and is being presided over by Judge Evangelos Thomas without a jury. Last week, three helicopter tour operators pleaded guilty to safety breaches in connection with the incident. The companies involved in the trial could face fines of up to 1.5 million New Zealand dollars ($927,000), while the individuals charged may face fines of up to 300,000 New Zealand dollars ($185,000).
Matt Urey and Lauren Barham, a U.S. couple who survived the eruption with severe burns, are listed as the first witnesses to testify. They were part of a group of 38 tourists visiting the volcano from Australia on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas at the time of the eruption.