Whakaari / White Island tragedy: WorkSafe indictment postponed until next year

The 13-party prosecution for the Whakaari / White Island tragedy has been postponed until next year.

WorkSafe announced today that the parties involved had requested the change in order to “review the evidence provided by WorkSafe and receive legal advice.”

A new hearing date has been set for March 5, 2021, and there will be no hearing tomorrow.

WorkSafe recently filed charges against 13 parties in connection with the Whakaari / White Island eruption in December last year.

When WorkSafe CEO Phil Parkes first announced the charges, he said he completed the most extensive and complex investigation ever conducted by WorkSafe.

“We investigated whether those who were involved in bringing tourists to the island were meeting their obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 2015,” Parkes said.

“We believe that these 13 parties did not comply with those obligations. It is now up to the judicial system to determine whether or not they did. WorkSafe cannot comment on the issues before the court.

This tragedy had a far-reaching impact on victims, families, communities and iwi, he said.

“There were 47 people on the island at the time of the eruption, all of whom suffered serious injuries and trauma, and 22 of them lost their lives.”

The charges were filed in Auckland District Court.

Ten organizations were charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act of 2015.

Three individuals were charged under section 44 of the Act requiring directors, or individuals with significant influence over a company, to exercise due diligence to ensure that the company is meeting its health and safety obligations.