New Zealand police are demanding answers over the situation that led tourists to be in the crater of an active volcano when it exploded, with an official inquiry into the White Island incident due.
One legal expert told the New Zealand Herald tour company operators could face manslaughter charges "if found criminally liable for failing to protect customers".
The explosion was described as "unfortunate but not completely unexpected" by experts, Stuff reports, with customers asked to sign a waiver confirming the unstable nature of the volcano.
One man who visited the volcano at Easter said the waiver made clear it was an "unpredictable and active volcano".
NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters said questions around handling of the White Island rescue effort are "premature" at this stage.
"We'll get to the bottom of it when we can," he said. Justice Minister Andrew Little said there had been no plans to update the corporate manslaughter law – something that was queried after the collapse of buildings in the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, Newshub reports.
Police Minister Stuart Nash praised the rescue efforts and said they must take first priority.
"[Officers] had no idea what they were dealing with and what they're doing is waiting for the right scientific and technical information before they can even think about going onto the island."
But Nash added: "The bottom line is it's not safe.
"All I would say is that at this point, the police's main role is coordination and recovery, and then victim identification."
