Local media reports that a foreign tourist group has died in southern Iceland due to an avalanche during a visit to an ice cave. A second tourist was also injured but was taken to hospital and his life is not in danger, while the other two are still missing. About 200 people were stranded.
Rescuers have resumed the search for missing people on the Bredamarkurjökull glacier after operations were suspended overnight due to difficult conditions.
A group of 25 people were visiting the ice cave with a guide on Sunday when the ice cave collapsed. "Ice cave tours are held almost year-round," Bredamarkurjokull is a glacial tongue that stretches from the Vatnajökull glacier to the Jäkulsárlón lagoon. Glacial Tongue is famous for its ice caves, to which various groups offer tours.
Emergency workers tried to rescue the missing people. Local news agencies reported that at one point on Sunday, 200 people were working on the rescue. Dozens of people returned Monday morning, and more are expected to arrive throughout the day.
Speaking on Icelandic TV, Chief Superintendent Runnarsson said police had not been able to contact the two missing men. He confirmed that all those involved were foreign tourists and said there was nothing to suggest that the trip to the cave should not have taken place.
