Tragic Ice Canyon Collapse in Iceland Claims One Life and Traps Two

Tragic Ice Canyon Collapse in Iceland

In a devastating incident, one person has lost their life, two individuals remain trapped, and another has sustained injuries following the collapse of an ice canyon wall during a guided tour on the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in southeastern Iceland. Authorities reported the event occurred around 3 p.m. local time, when a group of approximately 25 tourists, accompanied by a tour guide, were exploring the breathtaking ice caves and canyons.

According to Jón Þór Víglundsson, a spokesperson for ICE-SAR, a volunteer search-and-rescue organization, the collapse happened suddenly, leading to chaos among the group. The Breidamerkurjokull glacier is a significant part of Vatnajökull National Park, which is one of Europe’s largest national parks, covering nearly 5,460 square miles.

• Four individuals were struck by falling ice during the incident.
• Local police, Lögreglan á Suðurlandi, confirmed that two of the injured were successfully rescued.
• Tragically, one victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
• The remaining injured person was airlifted to Landspitalinn, the National University Hospital of Iceland, where they are reported to be in stable condition.

As of late Sunday evening, two people remained trapped, and their conditions remain uncertain. The search-and-rescue operations were temporarily halted due to the onset of darkness and challenging conditions, with authorities stating, “Conditions during the search are difficult and darkness is now upon us.” They emphasized the dangers of continuing the search overnight, pledging to resume efforts at first light.

Fortunately, the rest of the group emerged uninjured from the collapse, although the specifics of their backgrounds, including their nationality and the tour company that organized the expedition, are still unknown. Mr. Víglundsson indicated that over 150 individuals are involved in the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts, expressing optimism about pinpointing the location of the two trapped tourists.

“Although we believe we know the location of the two missing individuals, it is challenging to ascertain the volume of ice separating them from rescuers,” he explained. “This is indeed a difficult situation.” Due to the precarious nature of the glacier, heavy machinery cannot be utilized; instead, teams are employing hand tools such as hacks, chainsaws, and ice picks to carefully remove ice and clear a pathway.

The rescue teams are organized into groups of 12, working in shifts to maintain their efforts. Breidamerkurjokull is renowned for its stunning ice caves, which attract numerous tourists each winter. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, this outlet glacier extends from Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest glacier, into the picturesque Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon.

Tourism companies authorized to conduct ice cave excursions and glacier walks throughout the year are required to assess conditions thoroughly, as reported by Vísir. The park maintains a level of trust in these companies to ensure visitor safety.

Contributors: Amanda Holpuch