New Zealand authority charges 13 parties over White Island volcano eruption tragedy

WorkSafe New Zealand has filed charges against 10 parties under health and safety laws and charged three as directors or individuals over last December’s White Island/Whakaari volcano eruption which killed 22 people.

White Island/Whakaari is located 48 kilometres off the coast of New Zealand's North Island in the Bay of Plenty region and is regularly visited by the public on guided tours.

10 parties face charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act which carries a maximum fine of $1.5 million while three individuals are charged as directors or individuals who were required to exercise due diligence to ensure the company meets its health and safety obligations. These charges each carry a maximum fine of $300,000.

Television New Zealand reported that the workplace safety watchdog said in a letter to victims it is not naming the parties it has charged as they had the right to seek a suppression order on their names at their first court appearance on 15th December.

Those charged are to attend a preliminary hearing on 15th December in the Auckland District Court.

The volcano erupted on 9th December 2019, when 47 people were on the island. 22 people lost their lives and a further 22 were seriously injured. Most were tourists from the visiting cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.

The volcano had been showing signs of unrest for several weeks before the 2019 eruption and three weeks before was rated at Volcanic Alert Level 2 indicating “moderate to heightened volcanic unrest”, due to increased activity.

Soon after the tragedy, New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said official inquiries into the eruption and New Zealand’s response will take up to a year to conclude.

WorkSafe NZ did not investigate the rescue and recovery operation.