The judge said the total compensation was “nothing more than a token recognition of the victim’s suffering”
Wellington, New Zealand:
Victims and families affected by New Zealand’s 2019 volcanic disaster were awarded a total of NZ$10 million ($6 million) on Friday in compensation.
The amount had to be paid by five companies that transported 47 tourists to the volcanic island in December 2019, the day of the eruption. Many of the 25 survivors suffered severe burns.
In addition to paying compensation, fines were also imposed on island owner Whakaari Management Limited, White Island Tours and helicopter company Volcanic Air Safaris, which operates volcano tours.
Auckland District Court Judge Evangelos Thomas said the total compensation was “nothing more than a symbolic recognition of the suffering of the victims”.
He said the disaster had left the group “physically, mentally and emotionally” traumatized, with many still bearing scars.
Thomas told the victims in court: “Your stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring, and it is an honor to hear them.”
He said in some cases, particularly where the victim lost a parent, the exact compensation amount would be adjusted.
He said all five companies sentenced had failed in their duties to assess and reduce risks. “This failure put others at risk of serious injury and death,” he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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