The victims and families affected by the 2019 New Zealand volcano disaster, which claimed 22 lives, were awarded total damages of NZ$10 million (US$6 million) on Friday.
The sum must be paid by five companies that transported 47 tourists to the volcanic island in December 2019, the day it erupted. Many of the 25 survivors suffered terrible burns.
In addition to paying out reparations, the islands' owners, Whakaari Management Limited, along with White Island Tours and helicopter firm Volcanic Air Safaris, who ran tourist trips to the volcano, were also fined.
At Auckland District Court, Judge Evangelos Thomas said the total damages were "no more than a token recognition" of the victims' suffering.
The group had been "physically, mentally and emotionally" traumatised by the disaster, he said, with many still bearing the physical scars.
"Your stories have been heartbreaking and inspiring, it has been a humbling privilege to hear them," Thomas told the victims in court.
He said the exact reparation amounts would be adjusted in some cases, especially in instances where victims had lost parents.
He said each of the five companies sentenced had failed in their duties to assess and mitigate risk. "That failure exposed others to risk of serious injury and death," he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
KTR Break Dance Comment Row: Time To Change Anti-Women Mindset?
UAE Possible Candidate To Host Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh Ask For More Time Devon Conway, Finn Allen Opt Out Of New Zealand Cricket Contract, Focus On Franchise Cricket New Zealand Charity Apologises For Donating Sweets Containing Lethal Meth Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan India Sends 1,400 kg Anti-Cancer Drugs To Syria In Humanitarian Assistance Police Arrest Suspect In Bihar Dalit Girl Kidnapping, Murder Case 80 Killed In Paramilitary Attack In Sudan Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.