The Whakaari volcanic eruption in 2019 made huge headlines after killing 22 people, including 14 Australians.
Because of this, the owners of Whakaari (aka White Island) are facing legal action since they were accused of violating safety and health regulations.
Whakaari Eruption Trial: Australian Victim Claims No Warnings Were Given
Steam rises from the White Island volcano following the December 9 volcanic eruption, in Whakatane on December 11, 2019. - The smouldering New Zealand volcano that killed at least six people is still too dangerous for emergency teams to recover bodies from, police said on December 11.
According to The Guardian's latest report, an Australian victim shared her experience during the 2019 Whakaari disaster. On Thursday, July 13, the Auckland district court conducted its third day of hearings for a prosecution, which was filed by the labor inspectorate of New Zealand.
Annie Yongan Lu gave evidence at the court via a video link from Australia. The Australian victim said no warnings were given when visiting White Island.
"We weren't told how to respond, just follow their directions in case of an emergency, which you would do anyway," she explained.
Lu shared that they were not told about the possibility of a volcanic explosion in Whakaari. Despite the lack of proper instructions, Lu and her mother still went to White Island in 2019 because they believed that the island's operators would not put lives in danger.
After the incident, they realized that they put their trust in the wrong people.
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Other Victims Say the Same Thing
New Zealand's most active volcano, Whakarri (White Island), in the Bay of Plenty gives off dense plumes of steam and gas 29 November 1999 which has created a boom in the local adventure tourism industry. The island was used as a sulphur mine until 1901 when eruptions and mud flows rendered production impossible. In 1953 White Island was declared a Private Scenic Reserve.
Aside from Lu, other victims also shared their experiencing-and they are, saying the same thing. American couple Lauren Urey and Matthey Urey shared their unfortunate experience on Wednesday, July 12.
They were on a Royal Caribbean cruise on their honeymoon and decided to visit the White Island in New Zealand. Although Matthew said they read a brochure saying that Whakaari is Australia's most active volcano, they thought it was safe to visit.
Matthew and his wife said they received no safety warning from the island's operators before stepping on Whakaari.
"They didn't really give us a lot of information that I remember," said the American via ABC News.
As of writing, the owners of the White Island are still being prosecuted for the lack of information that puts Whakaari's visitors at risk.
If you want to learn more about the Whakaari volcanic eruption, you can visit this link.
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