New Zealand Volcano: Police Launch Criminal Investigation Into The Deaths Of Victims

The New Zealand police Tuesday said that they will be launching a criminal investigation into the deaths of the tourists after a volcano erupted Monday at the White Island.

John Tims, deputy commissioner of national operations for police in New Zealand, told reporters that a criminal investigation will be launched into the circumstances of deaths on White Island. According to Tims, the investigation will focus on the tour operators of the island, the Guardian reported.

“So we’ll look into if there was anyone criminally responsible for the deaths and injuries. It’s early days yet. So we’re just going to have to work through the evidence, talk to people, and conduct the investigation,” Tims said at a press conference.

The criminal investigation was welcomed by Whakatane mayor Judy Turner, who hoped that no stone would be left unturned by the police. While she supported tours to White Island in the future, Turner said that questions needed to be answered as to who, if anyone, was responsible for the disaster.

“You’ll be aware that tourism is significant for our local area. We are aware there are questions and you can be assured ... that at the appropriate time we will answer the questions that need to be asked,” Turner further stated.

She also questioned whether the tourists should have been on the island when a level-2 threat was in place.

Around 47 people were present on the island when the volcano erupted off the New Zealand coast in a towering blast of ash and scalding steam. 5 people were confirmed dead and 8 were missing and feared dead. The rescue operations on the island were hampered due to the unstable conditions on the island.

The police are working to determine the condition on the island with the help of a drone carrying specialized measuring equipment. They are also working with scientific experts to determine when it would be safe to return to the island to search for the missing, the Denver Post reported.

Dr. Pete Watson from the ministry of health told reporters that 31 people aged 13-72 were injured. 27 of the 31 people have suffered more than 30% body surface burns. According to Watson, not all the patients who have suffered burns will survive.