Survivors scarred by severe burns testified against various companies – including Whakaari Management Ltd, which owned the island – accusing them of failing to warn them about the risks.
On Friday, Judge Evangelos Thomas found both Whakaari Management Ltd and the tour operators had failed to conduct adequate risk assessment, breaking health and safety laws with devastating consequences.
The owner of the island, meanwhile, failed to make sure the operators had examined the risks properly, the judge added.
An image provided by visitor Michael Schade shows White Island (Whakaari) volcano, as it erupts, in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 09 December 2019.
American Matthew Urey is seen in the witness box at the Whakaari or White Island, eruption trial at the Auckland Environment Court, in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
Persons:
WorkSafe, Judge Evangelos Thomas, Michael Schade, Shutterstock, Andrew, Peter, James Buttle, Thomas, “, ”, Annie Lu, Matthew Urey, Jason Oxenham
Organizations:
CNN, NZ, Whakaari Management, Shutterstock Whakaari Management, country’s, White, Tours, Safaris Ltd, Aerius, Kahu, Ltd, Auckland Environment Court
Locations:
Zealand, Auckland, WorkSafe ,, White, New, Plenty , New Zealand, Australia, United States, Malaysia, Auckland , New Zealand