- Title: New Zealand prepares for White Island volcano one year anniversary
- Date: 8th December 2020
- Summary: OFF WHITE ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND (FILE - DECEMBER 12, 2019) (REUTERS) AERIAL OF PLUME OF SMOKE RISING OF VOLCANO, SEEN FROM COCKPIT
- Embargoed: 22nd December 2020 06:40
- Keywords: New Zealand Whakaari Whakatane White Island eruption volcano
- Location: OFF WHITE ISLAND & WHAKATANE, NEW ZEALAND
- City: OFF WHITE ISLAND & WHAKATANE, NEW ZEALAND
- Country: New Zealand
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Disaster/Accidents,Earthquakes/Volcanoes/Tsunami
- Reuters ID: LVA002D859TTZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Community leaders in Whakatane came together on Tuesday (December 8) as New Zealand prepares for the White Island volcano one year anniversary on Wednesday (December 9).
The surprise eruption on White Island, also known by its Maori name of Whakaari, on Dec 9 last year, killed 22 people and injured dozens.
"For many this will be a long journey back to good health and though the scars on your skin may have began to heal, it will take longer for our hearts and minds to heal," said community leader, Joe Harawira.
Majority of them were tourists from countries like Australia, the United States and Malaysia who were part of a cruise ship that was travelling around New Zealand. There were 47 people on the island when the volcano erupted.
Worksafe, New Zealand's primary regulator for workplace related incidents, said in a news conference its investigations found 13 parties had not met their health and safety obligations in taking the tourists to the White Island.
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