Through ash, hot sand and rain of stones. The story of tourists who survived a volcanic eruption in New Zealand
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In 2019, one of the worst cataclysms took place – the eruption of a volcano on Wakaari Island in New Zealand. Then 22 people died. Survivors described their rescue experiences during the trial. How tourists were hit by hot sand, ash and stones, writes CNN. At the time of the incident, 47 people were on the popular tourist destination – there were newlyweds and families who died or received severe burns. Australian traveler Annie Lu spoke about the events she experienced. She booked a tour with her mother after reading the brochure, but no one warned them of the danger. Photo: Gudella/Depositphotos “There was no mention of dangerous things,” Lu emphasizes. It is noted that the volcano during her stay on the island was already at level two out of six according to New Zealand’s volcano alert system. And this level means moderate to intense volcanic activity with a possible eruption. But the tourists had only helmets and gas masks along with the usual closed shoes and clothes. “We felt like it was just a normal day,” Lou said. As a result, the girl received 38% burns on her body and had to undergo several skin transplants. Lou remembered the black cloud in the sky that day, as well as the shouts of others to run as hard as they could, somewhere behind. She remembered how a gust of wind had blown off her helmet. And while diving into the shelter behind the rock, she pressed the gas mask to her mouth and felt severe pain. “What happened next sent waves of almost indescribable pain. It was like sand and stones everywhere being thrown at me. It was very, very painful. Everything was just on fire. I had never felt anything like it before. It was like someone heats several needles until the iron is red hot, and then pours it all on you,” said the victim. The tourist also added that there were no clear instructions or a plan. Everyone just ran to the pier. In addition, there was no proper medical assistance near the boat, and the water supply had run out. According to the woman, this disaster changed her psychologically and physically. She also had to leave the fashion industry in which she worked. The court also heard the testimony of tourists from the United States, Matthew and Lauren Urie, who were on their honeymoon at the time. Matthew said the sea was extremely rough during the tour to the island. And many tourists got sick because of it. The Yuris recalled that on the island, guides led their group to the rim of the crater, where they spent about 10 minutes before slowly walking back. “I remember someone yelling, ‘Look!’, I looked and saw a very big black cloud coming out of the volcano. And then we were told to run,” he says. Lauren Urie said the billowing black cloud was quiet, but as she and her husband hid behind a rock, they heard a loud roar as the volcano erupted, followed by cries for help. The man recalls struggling to breathe as he and his wife were gripped by heat waves estimated to have reached 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) or more. Since that day, the couple has undergone several surgeries and skin grafts. The family says that having children in the future is in question for them, because now the couple belongs to the high-risk group. The future fate of tourism companies The six parties fighting the charges include the three brothers who own the island, Andrew, Peter and James Battles and their company Whakaari Management Ltd (WML), as well as tour operators ID Tours New Zealand Ltd and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd. WorkSafe prosecutor Christy Macdonald, who organized the hearing, told the court that cruise ship passengers had not been given any health and safety information before the tour began and that WML had failed in its duty of care to tourists visiting the island. By 2019, she said, WML was making about NZ$1 million ($640,000) in annual revenue from tourism on the island, but had not spent enough on securing the facilities. Battles and WML deny the allegations. During another court hearing seeking to have the charges dismissed, the Battles’ attorney, David Neutze, said the brothers had little control over the tours. Five organizations have already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, including Volcanis Air Safaris, Aerius, Kahu NZ and White Island Tours. The trial is expected to last another 16 weeks. As a reminder, we previously talked about three children in the Colombian jungle who managed to survive the disaster. Read also: The most dangerous “supervolcano” in Europe may wake up – scientists
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