Tourist killed and two missing after ice cave collapse in Iceland’s Breidamerkurjökull glacier

A glacier tour turns tragic in southern Iceland, leaves one dead and two missing, prompting a major rescue effort.

A tragic accident at an ice cave in southern Iceland has claimed the life of one tourist, with two others reported missing. 

On Sunday, August 25, the local police force Lögreglan á Suðurlandi confirmed that a group of 25 people from various nationalities was exploring the Breidamerkurjökull glacier when an ice cave suddenly collapsed.

In a statement shared on Facebook, authorities revealed that a large rescue operation was underway, but challenging conditions forced the search to be postponed until Monday morning.

One individual, seriously injured in the collapse, was airlifted to Landspitali University Hospital and is now in stable condition. Sadly, another person was pronounced dead at the scene.

 The remaining members of the group, who were uninjured, were transported to a mass aid center for assistance.

Local police chief Sveinn Kristján Rúnarsson, speaking to BBC News, described the difficult conditions faced by rescuers, emphasizing that the search effort was being conducted by hand due to the inaccessibility of the site for machinery. 

Despite the treacherous circumstances, Rúnarsson noted that the tour, led by experienced guides, had not shown any signs of danger prior to the collapse, with weather conditions being described as "fair."

The Breidamerkurjökull glacier, part of the larger Vatnajökull, Iceland's largest glacier, is a popular destination for ice cave tours. 

However, the unpredictable nature of the landscape has once again highlighted the risks involved in exploring these natural wonders.