100 people at work in Grindavík

Around 100 people have been working in various repair and rescue operations in Grindavík in the last few days. This is according to the rescue team’s Þorbjörn’s Facebook update, which examines the situation in the town.

Safety of the workers is of the utmost importance according to the Facebook entry.

Shoveling 700 degree hot lava

The rescue team says that “a huge amount of energy” has been put into various projects in the town.

“The teams of plumbers and electricians accompanied by the emergency responders have been moving around town and working hard to put heat on houses. It varies whether or how much work is done in each place, but efforts have been made to get as many houses as possible. This work has been going well, it is almost done, at the time of writing,” the entry, which was published yesterday evening at twelve o’clock, reads.

It is pointed out that groups on behalf of Landsnet and HS Veitur have worked to put a power line between Svartsengi and Grindavík in operation and this evening, as has been reported on mbl.is.

Have opened two cracks

Groundworkers along with Grindavík’s fire department and the town’s employees have also worked to restore the cold-water pipe into the town.

This requires shoveling a considerable amount of new lava, which is still about 700 degrees.

“This work is going well and hopefully we can get water into the pipes soon,” the team says.

Grindavík-based earthworkers have opened two fissures that crossed Hópsbraut street in the last few days. They are currently working on repairs so that Hópsbraut can be driven again.

These repairs are similar to those that were carried out on Ránargata street, near the church, after the 10th of November earthquakes.

Have built a mobile steel bridge

It is noted that hundreds of meters of fences have been installed to fend off areas where cracks and earthquakes are possible. Particularly, attention is paid to fencing open areas where no reinforcement has been installed in the foundation or where  cracks are open.

“All employees working in Grindavík these days must follow strict safety standards and receive special safety instructions. For example, each employee must wear a seat belt and a helmet with the help of emergency responders who also have gas meters and additional communications equipment. At the industrial area east of Grindavík, for example, in Staðarsund, employees must be secured in safety lines while working there.”

A five-metre steel bridge has also been built to protect against cracks and increase the safety of those working in Grindavík.

Another bridge of the same type is to be constructed to allow more roads to open at once.

A few roads are closed

Finally, it is mentioned that the streets Eyjasund and Fiskasund are closed due to damage.

Hópbraut and Austurvegur roads are closed for construction and repairs.

Ránargata street to Víkurbraut has been opened after it closed on November 10 which is also good news.

“All these measures are aimed at increasing the safety of those who are in Grindavík every time, with the goal of securing a rescue as soon as possible.

A great deal of attention is now being paid to organizing valuable rescues in the town, but as has been mentioned, such actions cannot be undertaken until the Icelandic Met Office’s hazard assessment map changes,” the report states.

“In conclusion, we want to express our deepest gratitude to all those who have participated in projects in Grindavík in the past. Consensus and collaboration have been the main characteristics of the work, with up to 100 people working every day.”