New Zealand files safety charges after White Island volcano killed 22

The view of the volcano eruption on White Island in New Zealand from Ohope Beach, the closest point on the mainland to the island (@donnacha)

Authorities in New Zealand have filed safety violation charges after a volcanic eruption at White Island last year killed 22 people.

The island had been a popular tourist destination before the eruption on December 9. But many people now question why tourists were allowed to visit, especially after experts monitoring seismic activity raised the volcano’s alert level two weeks before the eruption.