Representatives of U.S. television network ABC have contacted the Icelandic Civil Protection Department requesting permission to broadcast the news program Good Morning America live from the Holuhraun eruption site next week.
Director of the Civil Protection Department Víðir Reynisson confirmed to RÚV yesterday that the idea has been discussed with them, although no formal application has been received.
ABC’s representatives were informed about the rules journalists who visit the site must abide by and given a risk assessment of the toxic gases emitted by the eruption, Víðir added. He said that if the television crew follows the rules, a live broadcast is possible.
According to RÚV, the broadcast is supposed to take place next week. An Icelandic earth scientist has been contacted and asked to speak about the eruption on live television. Good Morning America has an audience of around five million people.
In order for the broadcast to take place, the weather conditions must be favorable. Search and rescue squads, cars and helicopters must also be at the site so that the about ten-person crew can be evacuated in case of an emergency.
The broadcast is supposed to take 20 minutes. The film crew is also planning to use drones to show the eruption from above. The idea for the show allegedly came from a drone video of Holuhraun shot by Eric Cheng, which can be viewed on ABC online.
Today, the eruption at Holuhraun has been going on for five months, since August 29.
