Icelandic state news outlet RÚV has posted a public announcement in English regarding the volcanic eruption which we reported on earlier. Everyone is safe and all is well, at least right now. Read their announcement after the jump.
While it was initially believed the eruption was occurring under Eyjafjallajökull glacier, it has since been revealed that the main crack is at Fimmvörðuháls, which is a popular walking route, especially for travelers hiking Landmannalaugar. The eruption occured at precisely 23:34, according to RÚV. Oh and they’re saying now that the flames are rising.
Here’s RÚV’s announcement, in English.
Information on eruption
Evacuation in response to the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull glacier has concluded after an extremely rapid response, according to officials. Everyone known to have been in the area has been brought to safety and is now accounted for.
Currently the eruption appears to be limited to an area where there is little ice – meaning there is no longer believed to be an imminent threat of a flood unless the eruption spreads along the fault line.
The eruption is however close enough to the glacier to warrant concern and a state of local emergency has been declared and emergency response plans initiated. The National Emergency coordination centre in Skógarhlið, Reykjavik, has been activated and is operational. Response teams have been dispatched to the area and the situation is being closely monitored. The Local Emergency operations centre has been established in Hella.
Three Red Cross mass care centres have been opened in the villages of Hella, Hvolsvöllur and Vík. Red Cross volunteers are ready to receive people. The Red Cross helpline, 1717, is open and able to provide information about the eruption to members of the public.
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Click here to view Icelandic state TV’s live coverage of the eruption. To see videos taken of the eruption this morning, look at this page.
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(Pic shamelessly nabbed from RÚV.IS. It is by Guðmundur Geir Ludwigsson and was shot at 02:42 AM, near Gunnarsholt by Hella. Big up Guðmundur – sorry RÚV!)
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