Owners of island where volcano eruption killed 22 appeal over safety conviction

Tourists on a boat look at the eruption of the volcano on White Island, New Zealand, on December 9 2019. (Michael Schade via AP, File)

The owners of an island volcano in New Zealand that erupted in 2019, killing 22 people, launched an appeal on Tuesday against their criminal conviction for violating safety laws.

They argue that tour operators – rather than their company – were responsible for the safety of visitors to Whakaari, also known as White Island.