Brothers not individually liable for deaths in 2019 eruption, judge rules

A judge has ruled on whether three brothers who own an island where disaster struck can be charged individually.

The three brothers who own the New Zealand island where 22 people died in an eruption in 2019 have had charges against them dismissed.

James, Andrew and Peter Buttle were charged with failing to understand and manage the risks of allowing tours on Whakaari White Island.

The case brought by WorkSafe NZ was thrown out when Judge Evangelous Thomas ruled that not enough evidence had been provided against the brothers.

The blast killed 22 people, including 17 Australians. Picture supplied by the Cozad family.

WorkSafe NZ argued that the brothers failed to ensure an expert risk assessment was conducted to allow tours on the island, but the judge ruled individual charges against them should be dismissed.

The brothers’ company, Whakaari Management Limited, still has charges against it and the trial will continue to hear its defence in the coming days.

More to follow.