From Iceland — Tourist Missing In Þingvallavatn Lake

Tourist Missing In Þingvallavatn Lake

Published August 12, 2019

A Belgian tourist has gone missing, reportedly having fallen into the largest lake in Iceland. According to South Iceland Police, someone reported an object floating on the south end of Þingvallavatn Lake, near Villingavatn on Saturday night around midnight. Upon further inspection, the Icelandic coast guard discovered that the object was a single-person kayak. A backpack with an ID belonging to the missing tourist floated nearby.

The middle-aged man had been staying on a campground near the north side of the lake. Authorities believe he had been traveling the water alone, and fell in due to strong northerly winds.

Diving crews, a helicopter, boats, and a search dog combed the shore and the entire lake in vain over the weekend. Divers are currently looking into searching near a hydroelectric power plant on the lake.

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Show Me More!