A French tour guide faces the potential for six months in jail for allegedly taking a 13-person tour group into the closed area of the erupting Halema‘uma‘u summit crater of Kilauea.
A French tour guide faces the potential for six months in jail for allegedly taking a 13-person tour group into the closed area of the erupting Halema‘uma‘u summit crater of Kilauea.
Officers with the National Park Service spotted the group sneaking into the area very early this morning — just after midnight.
The tour operator “affiliated with the French tour company Adventure et Volcans” also faces a mandatory court appearance and a maximum $5,000 fine, says a statement from the Park Service.
The tourists were issued “violation of closure” citations of $100 apiece and $30 processing fees.
“Areas surrounding Halema‘uma‘u Crater are closed because of extremely hazardous volcanic conditions that include high concentrations of toxic gases and particulates, ongoing volcanic explosions and frequent collapses of the crater walls,” said Chief Ranger John Broward.