Whakaari, Also known as White Island, it is a small island in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand and is a volcano formed from many layers of lava from eruptions over the years.
In the 1980s it erupted many times and a major eruption in 2000 caused a large crater.. Minor, but not insignificant, eruptions were also recorded in 2012, 2013 and 2016.
Whakaari, privately owned by the Buttle family since 1936, it was a popular day trip for tourists10,000 of which are visited every year.
They came by boat and helicopter from various tour operators to explore the island, taking a guided tour around the mouth of the crater.
Until a tragedy happened in 2019.
A Netflix documentary just came out, The volcano, Whakaari’s rescue, which takes up the story of a recent tragedy.
How the 2019 Whaakari volcano tragedy was staged
However, in October and November 2019, GNS Science geologists observed this the island’s crater emitted more and more sulfur dioxide gas, steam and mud, and which were at their highest level since 2016.
On November 24, an earthquake was recorded with its epicenter just 10 kilometers from the islandand a high alert statement was issued.
Despite this activity, and the alarms, the daily tourist tours of the island continued, with an operator, White Isle Tourwhich he posted on his website: “Whakaari/White Isle it is currently at alert level 2. This level indicates moderate to high volatility. This level indicates moderate to severe volcanic unrest and there is the possibility of eruptions.”
White Island Tours added in that statement that it operates through the different alert levels, but thePassengers should be aware that there is always a risk of eruptive activity, regardless of the alert level“.
The eruption of the Whakaari volcano
On December 9, there were 47 people in WhakaariY 38 of them were cruise tourists Ovation of the seas on a shore excursion. Along with them were other tourists and independent tour guides.
At about two in the afternoon local time, there were two short eruptions that sent a dense column of boiling ash and steam three kilometers high by air and instantly throughout the island.
The inhabitants of the island rushed to leave, but only 23 people could be saved. by boat before the island was declared too dangerous.
Those who remained on the pier suffered burns and breathing difficulties, according to British media Keeper the survivors began to help each other.
“The passengers handed in their jackets, as well as inhalers and eye drops. The men took off their shirts to cover the shell-shocked passengers“Halfway to the mainland, a coast guard boat met the vessel and paramedics were brought aboard.”
Michael Schade, a person who managed to escape the island, posted pictures from the boat, saying: “My family and I had gotten off 20 minutes earlier, we were waiting on our boat about to leave when we saw him.”
The fatal outcome of the Whakaari Volcano
Three commercial helicopter pilots flew rescue missions to the island. They rescued 12 survivors and later, when it was deemed safe, returned to bring the bodies back.
In total, 22 people died, while 25 were injured, most of them severe burns.
This was stated by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern “The scale of this tragedy is devastating.”
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.