WHAKAARI / WHITE ISLAND — 2019 · Major Tragedy
The Whakaari / White Island Eruption
On the afternoon of 9 December 2019 a sudden steam-driven (phreatic) explosion occurred on Whakaari / White Island, an active volcanic island in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, while tour groups were on the island. Of the 47 people there, 22 died in the eruption or from their injuries; two bodies were never found. Most of the 25 survivors needed intensive care for severe burns. Many of the victims were cruise passengers from Australia. WorkSafe New Zealand charged the island's owners, tour operators and some agencies under health and safety law. In 2023 the island's management company was convicted, and in 2024 the defendants were ordered to pay millions of dollars in reparations and fines; however, the management company's conviction was overturned on appeal in February 2025.
- Date
- 2019
- Place
- Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Whakaari / White Island, NZ
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -37.5200, 177.1800 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 9 December 2019A phreatic eruption struck Whakaari / White Island with 47 people present.
- November 2020The toll rose to 22 after the death of a patient in hospital.
- 31 October 2023The island's management company was convicted on a health and safety charge.
- 1 March 2024Reparations and fines were imposed on the defendants.
- 28 February 2025The management company's conviction was overturned on appeal.
Sources
- BBC News — New Zealand volcano: White Island eruption bbc.com ↗
- 1News — German man dies, bringing death toll to 22 1news.co.nz ↗
- 1News — Whakaari: Judge says 'world is watching' as sentences handed down 1news.co.nz ↗
- Wikipedia — 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption en.wikipedia.org ↗
- BBC News
- 1News
- ABC News (Australia)
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.