Owners of Waqari volcano, which killed 22 people in 2019, found guilty of safety lapses

A court New Zealand He was convicted this Tuesday Owners Vakari volcanoIts explosion in 2019 22 people diedOn account of violating workplace safety laws.

District Court Auckland Vaccari Management, owned by brothers Andrew, James and Peter Buttle, ruled. It has not fulfilled its security obligations He will release his sentence in February before taking a trip to the volcano.

On December 9, 2019, Waqari exploded Dozens of tourists were on or near the island, 22 died – both on the spot and while they were being treated for burns – and 25 were injured.

While reading the verdict, Judge Evangelos Thomas stressed today that the Vaccari administration did not take the necessary measures to avoid “any person being exposed to death or serious injury,” according to an investigation followed by EFE.

The Magistrate explained that Vakkari Management, a trust which has been in the hands of the Pattil brothers since 1936, has been managing tourism activities related to the island since 1936. Hazards associated with volcanic activity.

“It is no surprise that Vaccari can explode at any moment and without warning, causing death and serious injury,” the magistrate noted. Today it dismissed another allegation against the company related to the safety of its own workers.

The trial began in July with survivors testifying that they were not adequately informed of the risks of the visit.

Wakkari is one of the most active and touristic volcanoes in New Zealand. Exploded while on alert 2 (level 5) It predicted little volcanic activity and 47 people, most of them tourists, stayed on the island.

Under Tuesday’s ruling, Vaccari joins the administration Six other companies – which have accepted the charge – could face fines of up to 1.5 million New Zealand dollars (873,000 USD or almost 825,000 Euros) in hearings scheduled for February 2024.

Earlier, the New Zealand justice system too Six other organizations and separately rejected the charges against them Against the three Pattil brothers who were directors of Wakkari Management.