From Iceland — Man Buried In Avalanche Yesterday Dies From Injuries

Man Buried In Avalanche Yesterday Dies From Injuries

Published January 30, 2020

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
Art Bicnick

More details have come in this morning about yesterday’s avalanche at Móskarðshnúkar, a mountain just east of Mt. Esja, north of Reykjavík.

Three hikers involved

Three men were hiking on the slope just after 12:00 yesterday when the avalanche occurred. While two of them sustained minor injuries, for which they were treated and Landspítali hospital, a third was buried in the snow.

Witnesses of the avalanche alerted authorities immediately, and some 100 rescue workers were deployed to the scene, including a search helicopter. The third man was found at around 15:00 that day. Vísir reports that the man in question perished from his injuries.

Caution advised during winter hiking

Hiking in the winter in Iceland is generally safe, and Mt. Esja, is also a very popular hiking spot. However, it can also pose its own dangers when hiking in the winter.

Caution is always advised, but especially in the winter, and SafeTravel contains detailed information on how to hike safely in Iceland any time of year.

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

Show Me More!