The family of two victims of New Zealand’s White Island volcanic eruption have slammed the tour operator and called for fundamental changes to the industry.
Mary Singh died in December and her husband Paul passed away last week from serious burn injuries.
A total of 21 people died in the tragedy.
The Singhs are American citizens resident in Atlanta, GA.
Nephew Vick Singh blamed operator White Island Tours for their deaths.
"I visited Paul and Mary every day since December 10 while they were at the Middlemore hospital. The last 50 days were distressing, slow and agonisingly painful. Proper safety equipment would have saved my family," he said.
"I seriously request and encourage volcano tourism in NZ and around the world to charter proper safety equipment including appropriate heat resistant gear/clothing, safety glasses, helmets and face masks."
Singh also called for proper disclosure of the risks and ‘a complete assessment of geothermal and seismic activity’ before conducting tours.
There are two separate investigations still ongoing in New Zealand and criminal charges have not been ruled out.
There are still people being treated for burn injuries in Australian and New Zealand hospitals.
