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Booking agents and managers of a New Zealand island, where a volcanic eruption claimed the lives of 22 people in 2019, have been instructed to pay a total of 13 million NZ dollars (£6.27 million) in penalties and restitution.
The parent company of the owners of the island, a company that offers boat tours, and three companies that provided helicopter tours were convicted of violating safety protocols during a three-month trial in the previous year.
Whakaari, also known as White Island, was a popular tourist spot prior to the volcanic eruption.
On December 9, 2019, a superheated steam eruption on the island resulted in the deaths of several individuals among the group of 47 tourists and tour guides. Survivors suffered severe burns and intense pain.
“During Friday’s sentencing in a Wellington court, Judge Evangelos Thomas stated that the emotional damage endured and still to be endured by survivors and affected families cannot be quantified.”
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“In a situation like this, reparation can only serve as a symbolic acknowledgment of the damage.”
“No other court has evaluated reparation amounts that account for the emotional suffering of the magnitude and type seen in this specific case. Therefore, larger compensations are warranted.”
On December 8, 2020, a photo was taken of White Island, located along the coastline of Whakatane.
Prior to this, a trial lasting three months involving 13 groups resulted in six pleading guilty and six having charges dismissed by regulators.
The last defendant in the trial was Whakaari Management Ltd and was convicted of one count last October.
Judge Thomas strongly criticized Andrew, James, and Peter Buttle, the shareholders of WML, which is the holding company for the owners of the island. He stated that they seemed to have made a substantial profit from tours to the island, even though the company has stated they have no assets or a bank account to hold funds.
Judge Thomas expressed disappointment in the fact that corporate structures can easily hinder effective action in addressing safety violations, as seen in this case and countless others. He believes that while there may be no financial incentive, there is a moral imperative to take proper measures.
“We are anticipating the actions of the Buttles, as the global community observes.”
The court prohibited the publication of the exact monetary compensation given to victims and their families in cases of death.
The punishment for the final defendant, GNS Science from New Zealand, will be revealed on Friday.
The source is available at independent.co.uk.
