Whakaari volcano: Survivors re-gather in New Zealand for sombre service five years after disaster
Maori prayer will herald the five-year anniversary of the 2019 Whakaari volcanic eruption which killed 22 people, including 17 Australians.
At dawn on Monday, the local tribe of the Whakatane region - Ngati Awa - will lead a dawn service in tribute to those lost in the deadly blast.
On December 9, 2019, 47 people involved tour groups were exploring the active island volcano, found 50km north of Whakatane, in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, when it erupted, forcing them to run for cover.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Almost half of those on the island were killed; many others suffered immense external burns.
Many from the survivor group - including those on the islands and family of those who died - will re-gather at Whakatane for the dawn service, as will police, first responders, and locals.
Around a dozen are travelling from Australia for the five-year anniversary.
One, Radio NZ reports, is Jesse Langford, who lost his parents and sister in the blast.
Mr Langford, 24, of Sydney, suffered burns to almost three-quarters of his body.
The eruption changed the lives of those on the island and their loved ones, and it also changed Whakatane.
Once a tourism hotspot for trips to the offshore volcano, a well-frequented tour among New Zealand’s many adventure tourism offerings, the volcano is now off limits to visitors, who are restricted now to scenic flights.
The 2019 disaster has been followed by lawsuits and the most complex workspace safety investigation in New Zealand’s history.
That case continues, with the owners of the volcano - the Buttle family - asked to pay a $1 million fine and $5 million in reparations, though are currently appealing.
Other tour operators were also handed fines and reparations, to a total of roughly $14 million.
A number of community events have been held in the region across the weekend, including a “Whakaari Waiata” concert, to raise funding to put a memorial at Whakatane Heads, the gateway to the Bay of Plenty.
After the dawn service, Ngati Awa will host another event with representatives from the New Zealand, Australian and British governments.
