A staff member of the US Embassy in Reykjavík was sent to the hospital yesterday for examination after handling a suspicious package. The staff member in question was not harmed, but was sent to the hospital to ensure they had not come into contact with any hazardous materials.
The incident occurred around 14:00 yesterday, January 4.
According to a police report, capital area police, a hazardous materials unit from the fire department, and a special police unit were all dispatched to the scene after the package was reported.
Engjavegur, the road by the American Embassy, was closed while Icelandic authorities responded. It has since been reopened.
Reports also indicate that the suspicious package has since been removed. Authorities are investigating the contents of the suspicious package.
Kristinn Gilsdorf, press officer for the American embassy, stated that an incident occurred outside the embassy, leading to the decision to call Icelandic authorities.
During the course of the investigation, the American embassy was closed down. Some 60 staff work in the building. Kristinn Gilsdorf stressed that all remained calm during the incident, and that embassy workers are working with Icelandic authorities.
The embassy has reopened.
Update: According to an initial analysis by the University of Iceland, the contents of the package are stated to have been harmless.
