According to statistics from the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, 104 people have disappeared in Iceland since 1969, but no one between 2003 and August 17 this year, when two German tourists were reported missing.
A team of almost 200 searched for the two young men on Svínafellsjökull glacier in south Iceland for days, but the search was formally called off last weekend.
“When no new information that could lead us to the missing persons has surfaced for a long time, those who organize the search make a mutual decision to call it off,” senior police officer Geir Jón Thórisson explained to Fréttabladid.
“Such cases are very difficult, but fortunately most of the people reported missing are found,” Thórisson said. “If the weather permits, immediate action must be taken when people get lost. Timing is vital.”
Of the 104 people who were reported missing and never found, 94 were Icelanders and ten foreigners. Most disappeared at sea, 63, while 41 disappeared on land, nine of whom are believed to have died in waterfalls or lakes.
Click here to read more about the missing Germans.
