Police Ask Public For Help Regarding Hoax

The police have asked the public for help identifying the person who
made the supposedly fake distress call that launched a major rescue
operation ten days ago, reports RÚV.

Ten days ago a distress call was received from a ship claiming to be sinking in Faxaflóa bay. That was the only transmission received from the ship and there was no indication of the ship’s location.

In response the Icelandic Coast Guard mobilised divers, rescue boats, the Coast Guard’s helicopter as well as two Finnish helicopters and almost 200 people to participate in the search effort. But with no missing people or boats reported the incident was filed with the police as a possible hoax.

The police have released the tape in hopes that someone will recognise the voice and report them.

You can listen to the call here and should you recognise the person who made the distress call you are asked to contact the Metropolitan Police on 444 -1000, by sending an email to abending@lrh.is or by private message on Facebook.

Vísir has reported that a number of people have already been in touch regarding the case.