Latest news Ice cave collapse in Iceland: injured and missing

SDA

25.8.2024 - 23:33

PRODUCTION - Breidamerkurjökull in south-east Iceland is the outcrop of the Vatnajökull glacier, which lies on the Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon. Photo: Steffen Trumpf/dpa
PRODUCTION - Breidamerkurjökull in south-east Iceland is the outcrop of the Vatnajökull glacier, which lies on the Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon. Photo: Steffen Trumpf/dpa
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Two people have been injured in the collapse of an ice cave in Iceland and two others are still missing. They were part of a group of 25 tourists who were visiting the cave in the Breidamerkurjökull glacier as part of a guided tour when the accident happened.

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Dozens of rescue workers, including specialized cave rescuers, and two helicopters were deployed, according to broadcaster RÚV. A spokeswoman for the authorities said that the conditions on the glacier were very difficult.

A tourist who had visited the cave a few minutes earlier, but only heard about the collapse on his return to the hotel, told RÚV that it was only three to five meters deep.

Popular tourist destination

Breidamerkurjökull in the south-east of the Atlantic island is the foothills of the Vatnajökull glacier, which lies on the Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon. The lake with its floating icebergs is one of Iceland's biggest tourist attractions and has been the location for famous Hollywood films such as "James Bond" and "Tomb Raider" with Angelina Jolie. Numerous hikes through ice caves are offered in the region.