At least one person has died and two others are still missing after an ice cave partially collapsed as a group of tourists was visiting the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in southern Iceland.
In a statement posted on social media, local police reported that first responders received a call shortly before 3 p.m. on Sunday. A group of about 25 foreign tourists from several nationalities were exploring ice caves when four people were struck by falling ice.
Two individuals were seriously injured; one succumbed to their injuries at the scene, and another was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in the capital, where they are reportedly in stable condition.
A substantial number of rescuers worked tirelessly throughout the afternoon and into the evening, searching for the two missing individuals. The operation was paused after dark due to hazardous conditions but will recommence in the morning, police stated.
Icelandic public broadcaster RUV reported that transporting equipment and personnel to the glacier proved challenging due to the rugged landscape. Cutting through the ice was mostly done by hand with chainsaws.
According to local news site Visir, the group was on an organized ice cave tour accompanied by a guide, but most people were outside the cave when it collapsed. The ice cave is a well-known and popular destination for tourists.
Authorities have indicated that the collapse was likely unrelated to a volcanic eruption in southeast Iceland on Friday, which occurred approximately 300 kilometers (185 miles) from the glacier.
