According to local media, an overseas visitor died as a result of ice collapsing in the Breidamerkurjökull glacier in south Iceland. This happened during a led tour of an ice cave on Sunday. The crash of the ice caused one tourist to lose their life. Another one got injured and two others are missing till now. At least one of them is in non-life-threatening condition. And has been taken to hospital. But due to extreme weather conditions search for other two was halted until morning.
Search and Rescue Efforts Tragic Ice
It was around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday when emergency services received a distress call about the collapse. Rescuers have had significant difficulties searching for the missing people. “The ground is very hard there,” explained local police chief Sveinn Kristján Rúnarsson while discussing the problem “… It’s almost like it’s just down there….” Tens or maybe hundreds worked all night to get at least some information about lost tourists.
The Ice Cave Collapse Tragic Ice
A group of 25 people including the guide was inside an ice cave when the ice they were standing on collapsed in Breidamerkurjökull glacier. It was also revealed that all persons involved in this incident were tourists from other countries. The police had no information regarding two missing individuals. “It was reported fair weather despite the difficult conditions which gave some respite to rescuers.”
Expert Guides and Variable Conditions
Chief Superintendent Rúnarsson noted that ice cave tours are popular activities in Iceland and take place almost throughout the year. “These are experienced mountain guides who operate these trips. You can always be unlucky. These are folks I trust to assess whether it’s safe or not safe to go, and there’s been a good track record there over time. This is a living land so anything could happen,” he stated. According to the police chief, at least one ravine existed between cave entrances where a tragic accident happened due to an ice collapse.
Breidamerkurjökull Glacier: A Popular Destination For Adventure
Breidamerkurjökull is a glacial tongue that extends from the Vatnajökull glacier to the Jökulsárlón lagoon. It has excellent ice caves and attracts many visitors every year; guided tours of the caves are offered by various companies. However, this incident proves that there are inherent risks in exploring glaciers in such unpredictable environments.
Tourism and Safety in Iceland
The incident serves as a stark reminder for anyone who may be contemplating ice-related tourism, even if they have experienced guides. Nevertheless, besides its beauty, Iceland’s terrain is dangerous, so individuals should take caution while walking there. Consequently, all visitors to Iceland’s natural attractions are urged to embrace safety and preparedness by authorities.
