Local authorities have announced that hiking trails to the Litli-Hrútur eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula will close at 6:00 PM today.
The area will be accessible from Suðurstrandarvegur (South Coast Road), but all routes from the North, including Keilir, are closed.
Yesterday’s closure is reported to have gone smoothly. According to the police chief’s assessment, it was not justifiable to keep the walking paths open all day long due to safety reasons. The walking paths from Suðurstrandarvegur will be closed daily at 6:00 PM. This decision will be in effect as long as the eruption continues at the mountain Litli-Hrútur.
The estimated number of people on Meradalaleið hiking trail yesterday was 1,952. An additional 1,358 visitor were recorded on other trails to the site.
Police officers, Civil Protection officers, and medical personnel are present in the area today. There have also been reports that ICE-SAR, an all-volunteer rescue squad, has had difficulty in fully manning shifts.
