Volcano eruption in Iceland: Grindavik residents are allowed to return during the day

A few days after a volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, residents of the small town of Grindavik can return to their homes during the day. After police initially banned people from staying in the evacuated town of 4,000, they were allowed back in from Thursday between 7am and 4pm due to a change in risk assessment. However, police said it was not safe to stay there at night.

➤ Read more here: Iceland: The volcanic eruption has lost its strength

Children are not allowed to come

In the morning hours, the first cars returned to the city, Icelandic radio station RÚV reported. According to the police, children may not be taken with them. A violent volcanic eruption occurred near Grindavik late Monday evening, the fourth in three years. Initially, glowing red lava erupted from a kilometer-long fissure in the ground, but the intensity of the eruption has since decreased. How long it lasts is still unclear. The Icelandic Meteorological Office said in the morning that there was initially no visible eruptive activity on Thursday, but it was too early to declare the eruption over.

Pictures of the explosion shortly after

New risk assessment for a potential eruption

The Met Office said in an update on Wednesday evening that the possibility of a new eruption without warning near Grindavik had decreased. Therefore, the Authority published a new risk assessment map, which is initially valid until December 28. Authorities said the danger level in the area around Grindavik remains high. The severity of the outbreak remains significant despite reduced activity. It has also been shown that magma can reach the Earth’s surface quickly, leaving little time for warnings.

Find accommodation in Reykjavik

Meanwhile, in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, about 40 kilometers away, ways have been sought to accommodate Grindavik’s population for longer periods of time. Dozens of apartments were purchased for this purpose, according to RÚV. Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir said at a press conference that it was clear that there was a great deal of uncertainty about life in Grindavik.