Rescue crews continue to search for two tourists following the collapse of an ice cave in Breiðamerkurjökull glacier in Southeast Iceland yesterday, RÚV reports. One tourist was pronounced dead at the scene, and another was flown to hospital with serious injuries. The search was suspended just before midnight last night and continued early this morning.
Ice cave collapsed
A group of 25 tourists was in an ice cave on Breiðamerkurjökull glacier in Southeast Iceland when part of the cave collapsed. Two tourists were freed from beneath the ice: one of them was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was flown by helicopter to the National University Hospital in Reykjavík with serious injuries. That person is not in critical condition at the moment. The tourists in the group are nationals of various countries, according to authorities. Authorities are still trying to establish the identity of all of the impacted members of the group.
Search continues
The search for the two missing tourists continues at the site. Around 50-60 rescue workers are at the site, split into three teams that take rotating one-hour shifts cutting through and shovelling away ice. Most of the work is being done by hand as it is not possible to bring heavy equipment to the site. Though conditions on the glacier are difficult, the weather is calm and clear today.
Regulations lacking
Experienced glacier guides have previously criticised tour companies selling ice cave tours in Breiðamerkurjökull, including in a programme aired on national broadcaster RÚV just two months ago. Íris Ragnarsdóttir Pedersen, an Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides board member, stated that tour companies went too far in keeping ice caves open year-round. She and other experts have stated that such caves should only be visited between December and March.
Experts are calling for stricter regulations on ice cave excursions and have pointed out that the staff of Vatnajökull National Park, where the accident site is located, do not have any authority to ban people from going into the glacier.
