WELLINGTON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's workplace safety watchdog WorkSafe Monday laid criminal charges against 10 organizations and three individuals related to the deadly White Island volcanic eruption last December.
Each of the 10 organizations face a fine up to 1.5 million NZ dollars (1.06 million U.S. dollars), and the three individuals, who are the owners of the island, each face fines up to 300,000 NZ dollars.
The eruption on Dec. 9, 2019 caused 22 deaths among 47 tourists and tour guides on site at that time. The remaining 25 people suffered injuries such as severe burns.
The White Island, a volcanic island in New Zealand's North Island, is a famous tourist attraction which people can explore by boat or by helicopter, but after the eruption all tourist trips to the island have been suspended by the authorities. The volcano has erupted many times in recent years.
GNS Science, New Zealand's geoscience research service provider, and the National Emergency Management Agency are among the 13 parties facing charges. The details of the charges are still not available.
The tour operator, the White Island Tours, is also among those parties charged by WorkSafe.
"We will take some time to consider the charges before making any comment," said a WorkSafe spokesman. Enditem
