The Icelandic town of Grindavik was evacuated due to several volcanic eruptions. Now the residents are allowed to return to their homes. About 100 set off. However, the police continue to advise caution.
After a series of volcanic eruptions in their region, residents of the Icelandic coastal town of Grindavík have been allowed to stay in their homes around the clock at their own risk since today.
According to the Icelandic radio station RÚV, around 100 people made their way to the evacuated town in the southwest of Iceland in the morning.
Evacuation order not extended
According to the broadcaster, regional police chief Úlfar Lúdvíksson advised against spending the night in Grindavík. He urged everyone in the area to be extremely careful.
Lúdvíksson decided on Monday not to further extend an evacuation order for Grindavík that had been in effect for weeks. After this, it is now again permitted to stay and work in the town around the clock, but only for residents, employees of local companies and those who help the residents.
“Not a place for children”
The police chief warned of the dangers in the area, such as numerous cracks in the earth. The city on the Reykjanes peninsula is, above all, “not a place for children”: there are no functioning schools, for example.
He also points out the poor condition of the infrastructure: Because the lava damaged an important water pipe, the houses in Grindavik are still without water or heating.
Staying overnight in Grindavík is allowed, but not recommended, explained Lúdvíksson. Police do not expect many will choose to stay there overnight.
Multiple eruptions
The fishing town southwest of Reykjavik was evacuated on November 11th after a week-long series of earthquakes. Since December 18th there have been three volcanic eruptions in the immediate area, the last on February 8th. During the second eruption on January 14th, glowing lava destroyed three houses in Grindavik.
The future of the community is uncertain. The government has already presented a draft law that would allow residents to sell their residential property to a state-owned company.