Whakaari/White Island - the scene of a deadly volcanic eruption this week - is a privately owned island, purchased by a New Zealand stockbroker in the 1930s
Five people are confirmed dead and eight others are still unaccounted for.Mr Buttle rejected an approach by the New Zealand government to buy Whakaari/White Island in 1953 and instead struck a deal to make it a private scenic reserve, a status which still exists today.
The island remains in the possession of the Buttle family and the title was transferred in 2012 to Whakaari Trustee, which lists Peter, James and Andrew Buttle as shareholders.The NZ Red Cross is trying to reconnect families after the volcanic eruption.James Buttle has not yet made a statement about the situation, but confirmed to New Zealand media he will eventually make a public statement.
The White Island Tours website has been shut down, featuring a landing page that says"We are currently experiencing an emergency" and lists contact information.A White Island Tours press release issued on Monday said it was deeply saddened following the eruption. "Devastation is an understatement. This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been impacted," White Island Tours chairman Paul Quinn said.According to the New Zealand Tourism Guide, the owners of White Island Tours were appointed as the official guardians of the island and access is only granted through designated tour operators.
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