White Island Volcano Eruption in 2019: Why Did the New Zealand Government File Charges Over the Natural Disaster?

A terrifying natural disaster happened in New Zealand in 2019. Whakaari, aka White Island volcano's eruption, resulted in multiple deaths. The government filed charges for the casualties, and here's why.

New Zealand Filed Legal Charges Over White Island Volcano Casualties

The volcanic eruption killed 22 individuals on White Island. The government went after the operators who brought the tourists to the location, alleging that they didn't follow the health and safety protocols, NPR reported.

There were 47 individuals on the island, according to officials, when the volcano erupted in the early afternoon of Dec. 9, 2019. The volcano released a plume of ash, toxic gas, and rocks upwards of 12,000 feet. Recovery teams spent about two weeks looking for victims. While rescue teams raced to find survivorsThehe eruption was not unexpected, according to WorkSafe New Zealand, the nation's workplace safety organization.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Phil Parkes said those who traveled to the island did so with the reasonable assumption that the necessary safeguards would be in place to guarantee their return home in a safe and healthy condition.

The volcanic eruption was a "hydrothermal explosion," according to the U.S. American Geological Survey (USGS) found. Before the eruption, the volcano had already exhibited instability symptoms for weeks. The potential of an eruption grew in October, as evidenced by seismic vibrations and sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission rates at their highest levels since 2016.

Those who were on White Island that day all experienced "serious injuries and trauma," according to WorkSafe. Survivors sustained major burns to their skin and lungs; WorkSafe filed charges against 13 parties in Auckland District Courtes: 10 companies and three individuals. One of the groups is accused of failing to control a workplace, while the other nine are charged with failing to protect the health and safety of employees and others. The maximum fine for each offense is over $1 million.

The three people are subject to lesser fines because of a rule that calls for those "with significant influence over a company to exercise due diligence" in adhering to health and safety requirements.

WorkSafe has not identified any of the parties since it is their right to request that their identity be withheld at their initial court appearance.

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3 Commercial Operators Plead Guilty to White Island Eruption Casualty

Three commercial helicopter tour operators entered guilty pleas at the last minute, avoiding a trial for health and safety violations before the 2019 catastrophic Whakaari/White Island eruption. Following a nearly 12-month investigation, WorkSafe filed charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 against Volcanic Air Safaris Limited, Kahu NZ Limited, and Aerius Limited, NZ Herald reported.

In the Auckland District Court, Volcanic Air, Kahu, and Aerius entered guilty pleas to newly modified charges, including failing to protect workers' health and safety to the greatest extent practical.

With today's joint guilty plea, the number of defendants has been reduced to six, including the island's owners, for the judge-alone trial that will begin the following week. August is the date chosen for sentencing.

According to WorkSafe CEO Phil Parkes, Whakaari was a complete tragedy; they remember everyone affected. The appeals recognize the procedures that should have been in place on the day of the Whakaari eruption to protect people's health and safety.