Whakaari : Dans le piège du volcan

How much risk is acceptable risk? How well informed are you before you take your family on an adventure excursion? Risk cannot be avoided otherwise you will have no experiences worth living for but where is the tipping point? In retrospect it seems that these excursions should not have been allowed but hindsight is 20/20. As a person who studies risk for a living, my only advice is to take risks that are known but avoid the unknown. I recommend watching this documentary for this reason; to give you food for thought. Considering it was only 3 years ago I commend the participants for their conteributions and the makers for their discretion.

This documentary tells the sad and tragic story of the eruption of the Whakaari volcano that killed 22 people and injured countless others.

This documentary is mesmerizing and devastating. Well crafted in its narrative, with stories from victims and rescuers.

The helicopter pilots that went to the island to rescue people when the government called it a no fly zone and would not send in others. These men are true heroes. Absolutely remarkable human beings.

This documentary is a must watch. It is horrific to even think about what these people went through, the pain and suffering from steam burns is beyond description.

The real footage taken and audio are haunting and terrifying.

This is a must watch.

This documentary about the tragic eruption in 2019 of the Whakaari volcano that killed 22 people and injured more shows the reason for the attraction that these people, and many more before them, had for visiting. Despite the potential danger, it's as beautiful a place as one can imagine. It had previously erupted in 2013 and 2016, so I'm not so sure I would have gone there in 2019 as a three year pattern, even if just a coincidence, had emerged. In any event, the poor people who happened to visit on that particular day suffered horrendously and some of the survivors are here to tell, and in some cases, show what occurred. Some of it is actual footage taken by some who survived and some of it is recreated events narrated by those there that day. The human survivor focal points are a couple who were there on their honeymoon and a young man who lost his entire immediate family and somehow, miraculously survived while with them. He alone will break your heart offering inspiration as well. Included are are also some very, very moving recollections of the bravery of many. This is a difficult re-telling of the events to hear, but oddly, there is no mention of all of the legal ramifications that occurred afterwards as there was some warning that the volcano could possibly erupt. The end credits make it clear that no one was ever held responsible despite that fact. The newlywed husband, a very congenial man to listen to, states at one point he would never had gone had he had been aware of all the facts that were known that day and you can just feel the pent up rage he is feeling beneath that veneer. Tours of this island are no longer allowed.

I thought this documentary was really well done for such a horrific tragedy for those involved. It was so nice to see the bravery of those who helped without hesitation. It was a bit long, but I didn't mind.

It is awful and tragic what happened. No one probably should've been on the island with the alleviated risk, but it is an active volcano. I would've expected these people to do some research on their own or ask questions before taking a trip to an active volcano to determine if they thought it was "safe". I don't think they can blame anyone for what happened. They chose to be there. There is obviously always going to be a risk when it comes to nature. Though we have amazing technology, we can't always predict when a natural disaster will happen.

I am the type of person who would've done this excursion. I love nature, I love adventure, and appreciate the awesome power of the Earth and the dangers it possesses. This sort of tragedy is very sad though while I understand why they closed the island to guests after this tragic day I don't think it was totally necessary. You go on these tours because of the risk. You sign your life away before he tour because of this risk. As tragic as this was and I truly feel for the families, I think tours should still be allowed to this island.

With that said I think the documentary was very well done and did a great job of showing the viewer the landscape and power of the island as well as the culture.