Reykjanes police announced that a man in his fifties collapsed yesterday, July 18, at the eruption site. After being evacuated to the hospital, the man was pronounced dead.
The man is stated to have had a pre-existing condition and did not die directly from the eruption. Local authorities have provided no further details at this time.
ICE-SAR and local police also recorded several other incidents at the eruption site yesterday.
- A woman with back problems received assistance from ICE-SAR teams and was escorted back to the parking lot.
- A 12-year-old girl suffered from exhaustion and had to be carried off trail by ICE-SAR.
- A group of four tourists didn’t trust themselves to make the return trip and required assistance.
- A group of ATV riders did not follow police directions at the site.
The Reykjanes eruption site is dangerous, and visitors are instructed to avoid areas marked as hazardous. Rescue operations at an active volcano are risky, and ICE-SAR has stated that it will not endanger the lives of its team.
