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Charges dropped against tour firms in White Island eruption: trial
Two tourism firms had charges dismissed in the White Island volcanic eruption negligence court case.
ID Tours New Zealand and Tauranga Tourism Services successfully filed to have their charges dismissed.
“Neither TT nor ID Tours had workers on Whakaari, it was never their workplace, and they did not influence or direct tour operators in the carrying out of their work,” Judge Evangelos Thomas said.
The volcano erupted in 2019 during a cruise ship tour, killing 22 tourists and guides.
It left another 25 injured.
Safety agency WorkSafe NZ filed charges against the companies.
Survivors have already testified, saying they were not warned of any serious risks even though the volcano was showing heightened activity.
The court heard the two tour companies were part of a purchasing system for Royal Caribbean passengers buying tours to the island.
The remaining defendant in the trial is Whakaari Management Limited, which is operated by the owners of White Island.
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