In a recent development, tour booking agents and managers of White Island in New Zealand have been directed to pay fines and reparations amounting to nearly $13 million. This decision comes in the aftermath of a tragic volcanic eruption in 2019 that claimed the lives of 22 individuals.
Following a three-month trial last year, the holding company of the island's owners, a boat tour operator, and three helicopter tour companies were found guilty of safety breaches. White Island, also known as Whakaari, was a popular tourist spot before the eruption occurred on December 9, 2019, resulting in the deaths of several tourists and tour guides.
During the sentencing in an Auckland court, Judge Evangelos Thomas emphasized the emotional harm experienced by survivors and affected families, stating that reparation could only serve as a token recognition of the immense suffering endured. The judge highlighted the unprecedented nature of the emotional harm in this case, calling for greater awards to be granted.
While some defendants had charges dismissed or pleaded guilty earlier in the trial, the final remaining defendant, Whakaari Management Ltd., was found guilty on one charge. The court imposed a fine of $636,000 on the company, in addition to a share of the reparations totaling $2.97 million for the victims and their families.
Notably, the judge criticized the shareholders of WML for allegedly benefiting financially from tours to the island despite claiming to have no assets or bank account. The ruling underscored the moral responsibility of corporations to address safety breaches effectively.
Furthermore, the government agency GNS Science, responsible for monitoring volcanic activity, was fined $33,000 for failing to share risk assessments with contracted helicopter pilots. While no GNS staff were present on the island during the eruption, the agency was not required to provide any reparations.
The specific reparation amounts awarded to victims and their families were withheld from publication by the court. The outcome of this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety measures in tourist destinations and holding accountable those responsible for lapses in security protocols.
