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New Zealand’s deadly White Island volcano eruption hearing adjournedNew Zealand’s deadly White Island volcano eruption hearing adjourned

The pre-trial hearing for WorkSAFE New Zealand’s prosecution of 13 parties for negligence related to a volcano eruption that killed cruise ship passengers on tour has been adjourned until mid-September.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

June 4, 2021

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

As reported here, New Zealand’s workplace safety watchdog alleges the 13 parties were negligent in their duty of care for visitors to White Island where a volcano erupted 18 months ago, Among the 22 people killed were passengers on a shore excursion from Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.

August 24 deadline

The Whakatane District Court was told all but one party had entered a plea and Justice Evangelos Thomas instructed that all pleas be entered by August 24.

Thomas set the next hearing for September 13.

It is understood a coronial inquest into the devastating eruption is ongoing, with some of the families of those killed or injured pursuing separate legal avenues.

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New Zealand

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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