WorkSafe New Zealand has filed charges against 13 parties over the White Island volcano tragedy in December last year.
The volcano erupted on December 9, when 47 people were on the island. Twenty-two of them died, including 17 Australians.
WorkSafe NZ said those charged could not be identified as they had the right to seek a suppression order on their names at their first court appearance on December 15.
Ten parties face charges which carry a maximum fine of $NZ1.5 million under New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work Act.
"There are three individuals charged under section 44 of the act which requires directors, or individuals with significant influence of a company to exercise due diligence that the company is meeting its health and safety obligations under the act," the statement said.
"Each charge carries a maximum fine of $300,000."
A preliminary hearing for the charges will be held on December 15 in the Auckland District Court.
"WorkSafe did not investigate the rescue and recovery of victims following the eruption," the statement said.
"On those matters, no enforcement action has been taken. Those actions may be the subject of other proceedings, such as coronial inquest."
A group of 38 people from the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship were on a day trip to White Island when the volcano erupted.
Many of the victims of the disaster died from their injuries in hospital months later and some survivors are still in rehabilitation.
The 22nd victim was a German man who died in a German hospital in July while receiving treatment for his injuries.
Nineteen people died in New Zealand while another two died in hospital in Australia.
WorkSafe NZ is expected to hold a press conference on Monday afternoon local time to give more details.
More to come.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTExLTMwL3doaXRlLWlzbGFuZC12b2xjYW5vLWVydXB0aW9uLTEzLXBhcnRpZXMtY2hhcmdlZC13b3Jrc2FmZS1uei8xMjkzMzk3NNIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjkzMzk3NA?oc=5
2020-11-29 23:44:00Z
52781215511590
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "WorkSafe New Zealand charges 13 parties over White Island volcano eruption tragedy - ABC News"
Post a Comment