WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The trial of New Zealand tourism operators, who were accused of safety violations following the tragic 2019 volcanic eruption that claimed the lives of 22 individuals, concluded on Tuesday with the last remaining defendant being found guilty on one count.
During the three-month, judge-only trial that involved 13 groups, six already admitted guilt, and charges were dropped against six others. These charges, brought forth by regulatory authorities, carried fines as a potential maximum penalty.
White Island, also known by its Indigenous Māori name Whakaari, was a popular tourist destination prior to the eruption. When superheated steam erupted, there were 47 tourists and tour guides on the island, resulting in some immediate fatalities and leaving others with severe burns.
The last defendant in the trial, Whakaari Management Ltd., which is the holding company for the island’s owners – Andrew, James, and Peter Buttle, was found guilty on one charge. The judge, Evangelos Thomas, stated that the company had failed to conduct a risk assessment, despite being aware of a previous eruption three years earlier, which occurred at night and did not cause harm.
The evident conclusion for every stakeholder involved with Whakaari was that existing risk assessment and risk management procedures had failed, the judge remarked. These measures would not have prevented serious injury or loss of life if tours had been operating on the island at the time.
The judge emphasized that the company should have sought expert advice and either halted the tours altogether or implemented stringent safety controls. The judge dismissed a second charge against the company.
Among the trial witnesses were a recently married couple from Richmond, Virginia, both of whom survived the eruption. Lauren Urey, 35, described how she and her husband Matt fled for their lives and sought refuge behind rocks after witnessing a massive plume emanating from the volcano.
I vividly remember screaming in agony. My body felt like it was burning, Lauren Urey told the judge. I said, ‘I love you so much. I’m going to die today.
The organizations that had previously admitted guilt included three helicopter tour companies, one boat tour operator, a scenic flight operator, and New Zealand’s scientific agency GNS Science. These organizations are scheduled to be sentenced in February, with each facing a maximum fine of 1.5 million New Zealand dollars ($875,000).
