White Island tour operators fined $6 million

Monday, 03 Mar, 2024 0

A group of tour operators and the owner of White Island have been fined a total of NZ$10 million ($6.1 million) for their part in the volcanic eruption which killed 22 people.

Tour operators White Island Tours, Volcanic Air Safaris, Kahu New Zealand and Aerius, plus the owner of the island, Whakaari Management Ltd, were found negligent for the tragedy.

At the time there were 47 people on White Island (Whakaari), when it erupted in late 2019 .

Most were foreign tourists from Australia, the US and other countries.

Several survivors suffered severe burn injuries.

Whakaari Management is on the hook for NZ$4.88m, and White Island Tours must pay NZ$5m.

Volcanic Air Safaris was fined NZ$$330,000.

Health and safety regulator Worksafe brought the action against the companies.

Worksafe said that the tour operators have shown that they don’t have the financial ability to pay the fines but they should still be imposed.

Three of the companies are in liquidation, have ceased trading or don’t have the funds to pay.

“The safety information tour operators provided to their paying customers was wholly inadequate, not sufficiently informing paying customers about the hazards, the risk, and the consequences of an eruption,” the judge said.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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