New Zealand - White Island volcano erupts, 19 dead, many injuries from cruise excursion, 9 Dec 2019 *charges*

[JerseyGirl]

Science agency on trial following deadly White Island volcano eruption

New Zealand’s Earth-science research agency, GNS Science, has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges laid in the wake of a devastating volcanic eruption at White Island in 2019 that left 22 people dead and 25 injured.

NEMA is charged with failing to communicate risk to the public. Charges against tour companies and another defendant also allege failures to conduct risk assessments.

NEMA formally pleaded not guilty in court on 3 June, followed on 26 August by all the other co-defendants. The next hearing is scheduled for the Whakatane District Court, near White Island, on 21 October.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

White Island volcano burns survivor removes mask for the first time

Stephanie Browitt was touring the New Zealand island with her sister Krystal, 21, and their father Paul when the volcano erupted off the coast of Whakatane on December 9, 2019.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[IceIce9]

New documentary on Netflix, “The Volcano”

‘The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari’ Review: A Seismic Tragedy (Published 2022)

A Netflix documentary recounts the eruption of an active volcano off the coast of New Zealand that left several tourist groups struggling to survive.

www.nytimes.com

Three years ago on a small island off the eastern coast of New Zealand, several tour groups were trekking near the rim of an active stratovolcano when the site erupted, spouting scalding steam, toxic gases and ash plumes that rose thousands of feet into the air. More than 20 people died, some in the explosion and others who later succumb to their injuries; many more suffered severe burns.

A detailed chronology of the tragedy is relayed in the unembellished Netflix documentary “The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari,” which hinges on interviews with a handful of survivors and people involved in the rescue missions.

 

[they'll get you]

New documentary on Netflix, “The Volcano”

‘The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari’ Review: A Seismic Tragedy (Published 2022)

A Netflix documentary recounts the eruption of an active volcano off the coast of New Zealand that left several tourist groups struggling to survive.

www.nytimes.com

Three years ago on a small island off the eastern coast of New Zealand, several tour groups were trekking near the rim of an active stratovolcano when the site erupted, spouting scalding steam, toxic gases and ash plumes that rose thousands of feet into the air. More than 20 people died, some in the explosion and others who later succumb to their injuries; many more suffered severe burns.

A detailed chronology of the tragedy is relayed in the unembellished Netflix documentary “The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari,” which hinges on interviews with a handful of survivors and people involved in the rescue missions.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Science agency on trial following deadly White Island volcano eruption

New Zealand’s Earth-science research agency, GNS Science, has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges laid in the wake of a devastating volcanic eruption at White Island in 2019 that left 22 people dead and 25 injured.

NEMA is charged with failing to communicate risk to the public. Charges against tour companies and another defendant also allege failures to conduct risk assessments.

NEMA formally pleaded not guilty in court on 3 June, followed on 26 August by all the other co-defendants. The next hearing is scheduled for the Whakatane District Court, near White Island, on 21 October.

Charge dropped against New Zealand science agency after deadly volcano eruption

The charge related to how GNS Science communicated volcanic risk to the public in the lead-up to the 2019 eruption on Whakaari White Island.

www.nature.com

Volcanologists have applauded a judge’s decision to dismiss one of two criminal charges against New Zealand’s Earth-science research agency, GNS Science. The charges were laid in the wake of a fatal 2019 volcanic eruption on Whakaari White Island, a popular tourist destination, that killed 22 people and injured 25 others.

 

[SouthAussie]

Just hearing on our late night news that a judge-only trial is about to start in Auckland this week. They have slotted in 16 weeks for the trial.

It seems WorkSafe has charged a number of tour operators.
Some have already pleaded guilty.

They didn't say which ones are going to trial. But I think it could be the last trial in the WorkSafe prosecutions over this tragedy.


On Friday, Volcanic Air Safaris Limited, Kahu NZ Limited and Aerius Limited [all helicopter tour operators] pleaded guilty to amended charges relating to the health and safety failings.
GNS Science and White Island Tours had earlier pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

White Island trial begins tomorrow: What you need to know

The trial is expected to run for four months.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[they'll get you]

The charges were laid against Whakaari Management Limited and its directors Andrew, James and Peter Buttle; GNS Science; the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); White Island Tours Limited; Volcanic Air Safaris Limited; Aerius Limited; Kahu NZ Limited; Inflite Charters Limited; ID Tours New Zealand Limited; and Tauranga Tourism Services Limited.

Each charge against an organisation carries a maximum fine of $1.5m.

Each charge against an individual carries a maximum fine of $300,000.
Some of the defendants face more than one charge.

Whakaari / White Island: What to know as historic trial looms

The 2019 eruption claimed 22 lives. After years of work, charges related to one of New Zealand's most deadly recent disasters will finally be heard in court.

www.1news.co.nz

 

[JerseyGirl]

Three brothers own the NZ volcano that killed 17 Australians. Today they go on trial

More than three years after Whakaari White Island erupted and killed 22 people, New Zealand's workplace health and safety regulator will bring the owners of the volcano and several tours companies to court.

www.abc.net.au

 

[JerseyGirl]

White Island trial played previously unseen footage of deadly eruption

www.9news.com.au

 

[ArianeEmory]

I stumbled on this documentary on Netflix a few months ago and it was horrifying.

 

[JerseyGirl]

'My body was sizzling': Victims tell of White Island eruption

www.9news.com.au

 

[JerseyGirl]

'Cool down those leggings ASAP': Whakaari survivors answer questions on activewear

As the criminal trial over the deadly Whakaari White Island disaster continues, an emerging line of inquiry is what tourists were told to wear on the day of the eruption.

www.abc.net.au

 

[JerseyGirl]

Tour company paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for Whakaari access

Multiple helicopter companies also paid fees to conduct tours of the island.

www.nzherald.co.nz