More than four years after the devastating volcanic eruption in New Zealand, the relatives of the victims and survivors have received millions in compensation (see video above). The eruption on the volcanic island of Whakaari/White Island killed 22 people and injured 25 others.
“Very few escaped the eruption without serious injury. For the others the suffering was enormous. There is no way to measure the emotional suffering that survivors and affected families have suffered and will continue to suffer,” the judge said in the ruling on Friday. The money could only be a symbolic recognition.
The court in Auckland decided that the 47 affected families would receive ten million New Zealand dollars (5.6 million euros) in compensation. The island’s owner, Whakaari Management and White Island Tours – the operator that brought visitors to the island by boat – must bear the largest share. The helicopter operator Volcanic Air Safaris must pay a smaller share.
Feuerberg became increasingly active
The volcanic eruption took place in December 2019. The Feuerberg had become increasingly active before, but boats carrying tourists continued to travel to the island. The dead included visitors from Australia, China, Malaysia, the US, Britain and Germany.
New Zealand is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically active zone on Earth. Whakaari/White Island is considered the most active volcano in the Pacific state; it also erupted fatally in 1914.
Source: Krone
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