Crevasse search for missing travelers

Rescue teams are now screening glacial crevasses in Mt. Kerlingarfjöll, where two tourists are still being sought. Searches in caves in the area have not been successful.

In a call to the emergency line, the travelers said they were stuck in a cave. However, there are few caves in the area, so it is possible they were stuck in a crevasse rather than a cave.

The emergency line received a call from the hikers at around 10:30 PM yesterday, stating they were stuck in a cave. An announcement from the emergency quarters indicated the location as Mt. Eyvindur, south of Eystri-Loðmundarjökull glacier. Since then, nothing has been heard from them.

The search efforts have been unsuccessful. The call for help was received through the emergency line's online chat. The search area has since been expanded.

"There was a search in this area last night, and no traces were found," says Jón Þór Víglundsson, Landsbjörg rescue team’s information officer, in an interview with mbl.is .

Nothing more is known about the hikers' journey, but they are likely foreign tourists. The search area has now been widened considerably.

Extensive search underway

Mt. Kerlingarfjöll is between Langjökull glacier and Höfsjökul glacier. Search efforts are focusing on crevasse areas.
"We are currently looking for them in a crevasse area north of this location," adds Víglundsson. "There are glacial fissures that guides suggested might be mistaken for caves by those unfamiliar with the terrain."

About 150 people are involved in the operation. Visibility has been poor for a long time, but drones are also being used to check for signs of human presence. So far, no traces of the travelers have been found.