Legal Proceedings Begin For 2019 New Zealand Volcano Disaster

Posted by: lukwago J in world news July 11, 2023

The trial related to the 2019 New Zealand volcano disaster has begun. The disaster occurred on 9 December 2019 when the White Island volcano erupted, killing 22 people and injuring many others.

The island, which is located off the coast of New Zealand’s North Island, was a popular tourist destination, and many of the victims were tourists from various countries.

The trial is being held in Auckland, and the focus is on whether tour companies that brought people to the island were negligent in their duty of care.

Meanwhile the trial is expected to last for up to 10 weeks and is being held in the Auckland High Court.

However the primary focus of the trial is on whether the companies involved in organizing tours to White Island, including Royal Caribbean and its subsidiary White Island Tours, had a duty of care to their customers and whether they took reasonable steps to protect them from harm.

The prosecution argues that the companies failed to properly assess the risks associated with visiting the island and did not provide adequate safety measures, such as gas masks and protective clothing, to the tourists.

Several people are facing charges related to the incident

The defendants, on the other hand, argue that the eruption was an unforeseeable event that they could not have predicted or prevented.

In addition to the companies, several individuals are also facing charges related to New Zealand volcano disaster, including tour guides and boat captains who were responsible for transporting tourists to the island.

The trial is being closely followed by the families of the victims, who are hoping to get some answers about what happened and who is responsible for the tragedy.

The White Island volcano, also known as Whakaari, is one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes and is located in the Bay of Plenty, about 50 kilometers off the coast of the North Island.

The eruption on December 9, 2019, was the most deadly volcanic event in New Zealand in more than 100 years, and it had a profound impact on the country and it’s people.

The trial is expected to last for several weeks, and it will be closely watched by people around the world who were affected by this tragedy.

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