Grindavík to reopen

Grindavík will reopen to the public on Monday, October 21, according to an announcement made during a meeting of the emergency management committee.

Emergency personnel and the incident management team will maintain their current operations, with electronic monitoring of traffic in and out of the town to ensure safety in case of evacuation. The decision to reopen is based on an ongoing risk assessment, which is regularly reviewed. The announcement highlights that several safety measures have been implemented in Grindavík, including mapping, geological surveys, geophysical measurements, and visual inspections. Crevices have been filled or fenced off, and load tests have been conducted to enhance safety.

Final preparations are underway to install clear signage, with specific hazardous areas in the town being marked accordingly. However, despite these precautions, there remains a risk of ground subsidence into crevasses, particularly in and around Grindavík in open areas that have not been thoroughly inspected. The Chief of Police in Suðurnes emphasizes that anyone entering hazardous areas does so at their own risk, and that Grindavík is not a safe environment for children.

“Everyone is responsible for their own actions or inactions. The Chief of Police has also reiterated that Grindavík is not a place for children, a stance fully supported by the Grindavík committee,” the announcement states.