Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the devastating avalanche in Súðavík, which claimed 14 lives, including that of 8 children. Memorial services will be held today in Súðavík and Reykjavík to honour the victims.
Rescuers mobilised
On January 16, 1995, a devastating avalanche struck the small fishing village of Súðavík in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Severe weather conditions cut off road access to the town, forcing rescue units, many of them volunteers, to be transported by boat from Ísafjörður. Over 300 volunteers participated in the rescue efforts, pulling 12 individuals from the debris, including a 10-year-old boy who was found alive nearly 24 hours after the avalanche.
The avalanche, one of the deadliest in Iceland’s history, struck 20 houses, including 16 residential homes on Túngata, Nesvegur, and Njarðarbraut. Of the 48 people inside, 14 lost their lives – including eight children – while 34 survived, with 12 sustaining injuries.
Profound losses
The entire nation was grief-stricken in the wake of the tragedy.
As reported by RÚV, President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir captured this collective shock in a televised interview, where she emphasised how, in difficult times like these, Icelanders feel the deep bond they share with one another:
“Our solidarity and compassion are genuine in times of adversity. For whether we are near or far from the area that has suffered such ruthless natural disasters, our thoughts remain with all those who have been affected. The loss of one is a loss for us all.”
When asked what thoughts came to mind during this tragedy, Vigdís poignantly replied: “That we have not yet made this land our friend. We do not yet have control over it.”
As noted by RÚV, few endured a loss as profound as that of Hafsteinn Númason and his wife, Berglind Kristjánsdóttir, who lost all three of their children: Aðalsteinn Rafn, aged two, Kristján Númi, aged four, and Hrefna Björg, aged seven.
Berglind was injured in the avalanche, while Hafsteinn arrived onshore with the trawler Bessi early that morning.
Memorial service
The village of Súðavík was eventually relocated to a safer area, and approximately 50 new houses were constructed. The disaster prompted nationwide discussions on avalanche safety and led to the implementation of improved hazard assessments and the construction of avalanche dams in vulnerable regions.
In October of that same year, another avalanche struck the village of Flateyri in the Westfjords, killing 20 people.
As reported by RÚV, a memorial service will be held in Súðavík today. A gathering will take place at the memorial by the community centre, followed by a torchlit procession starting at 4:40 PM. The ceremony will then commence in Súðavík Church at 5 PM, where the parish priest will lead a prayer, and candles will be lit.
Additionally, a devotional service will be held at Guðríðarkirkja Church in Reykjavík at 8:00 PM tonight.
The names of the deceased:
Aðalsteinn Rafn Hafsteinsson (2-years-old), Túngata 5
Kristján Númi Hafsteinsson (4-years-old), Túngata 5
Hrefna Björg Hafsteinsdóttir (7-years-old), Túngata 5
Júlíanna Bergsteinsdóttir (12-years-old), Túngata 6
Hafsteinn Björnsson (40-years-old), Túngata 6
Bella Aðalheiður Vestfjörð (39-years-old), Túngata 7
Petrea Vestfjörð Valsdóttir (12-years-old), Túngata 7
Hjördís Björnsdóttir (37-years-old), Túngata 8
Birna Dís Jónasdóttir (14-years-old), Túngata 8
Helga Björk Jónasdóttir (10-years-old), Túngata 8
Sveinn Salomónsson (48-years-old), Nesvegur 7
Hrafnhildur Þorsteinsdóttir (1-year-old), Nesvegur 7
Hrafnhildur Þorsteinsdóttir (49-years-old), Nesvegur 7
Sigurborg Guðmundsdóttir (66-years-old), Njarðarbraut 10
