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New Zealand’s workplace safety watchdog has filed charges against 13 parties as part of its investigation into the White Island / Whakaari volcano eruption last December, according to reports. Twenty-two people died in the disaster.
Ten parties face charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act that carry a maximum fine of $ 1.5 million (US $ 1.06 million).
Three individuals are charged as directors or individuals who were required to exercise due diligence to ensure the company meets its health and safety obligations. Each of these charges carries a maximum fine of $ 300,000.
Worksafe, the county’s workplace health and safety regulator, filed the charges.
Twenty-two people lost their lives and another 22 were seriously injured. The tragedy occurred when the live volcano erupted on December 9, 2019, when guided groups were on the island. Most were tourists visiting the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship.
The defendants are due to appear in Auckland District Court on December 15.
WorkSafe said in a letter to victims that it does not mention the parties it has accused as they may seek repression in their first appearance in court, Television New Zealand reported.
White Island / Whakaari in the northeast region of the Bay of Plenty in northeast New Zealand is regularly visited by the public on guided tours.
The volcano had been showing signs of unrest for several weeks prior to the 2019 eruption and three weeks earlier it was rated Volcanic Alert Level 2, indicating “moderate to intense volcanic disturbances” due to increased activity.
Shortly after the tragedy, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that official investigations into the eruption and New Zealand’s response will take up to a year to conclude.
