UPDATED: According to a new statement from the capital area police, a man in his forties died in the accident. Two others were taken to the emergency department, one of them seriously injured.
Three people were taken to the emergency department following an explosion at the premises of the Kornax commercial building in Reykjavík this morning, reports RÚV.
One person is seriously injured, another has sustained significant injuries, and a third suffered minor injuries.
The explosion, which occurred shortly after 07:00, was powerful enough to tear part of one side of the building.
“It was reported as an explosion — a large explosion — in the building, with part of the structure missing, and that several people inside had been injured,” Unnar Már Ástþórsson, chief inspector at the capital area police, told RÚV.
“Three people were transported to hospital: one seriously injured, one significantly injured, and the third with less severe injuries,” he added.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known.
A large hole is visible in the side of the building (see here), which, according to Unnar Már, was a direct result of the blast.
Although an initial report indicated a fire alongside the explosion, no fire was present when emergency services arrived, which made rescue efforts easier.
“Conditions were relatively favourable for rescue operations as there was no fire in the space. Some of the injured had already been removed. We then worked our way through the building to secure the area and reach those who remained,” Unnar Már said.
Nearly all available police officers, around 15 to 20 personnel, were dispatched to the scene, along with the full fire brigade. Staff and volunteers from the Red Cross provided psychological support and assistance, while nearby businesses offered facilities to help care for those affected.
At around 09:00, employees were allowed back into the building to shut down operations if necessary.
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