Encourages people to hold off rushing to the volcano site for now

Guðni visited Grindavík today before the eruption started..

Guðni visited Grindavík today before the eruption started.. mbl.is/Hákon Pálsson

The president of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson hopes that the volcanic eruption that started today will not cause damage and encourages people to hold off "rushing into the unknown", because there will be enough time to see the volcano later.

"This is how things happen here in Iceland. Today I read on the news: "No signs of eruption at this time" at 12:55 PM and then Nature just takes the reins. Now we just hope for the best, that this eruption will not cause havoc," says the president in response to questions about the new volcanic eruption in the Reykjanes peninsula.

"But we will wait and see what will happen."

Fannar Jónasson, the mayor of Grindavík with the first lady, …

Fannar Jónasson, the mayor of Grindavík with the first lady, Eliza Reid, and the President, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, earlier today. mbl.is/Hákon Pálsson

Driving by Keilir when the eruption started

The president and the first lady, Eliza Reid, were in the vicinity when the eruption started, because they were driving on Reykjanesbraut just going past the mountain Keilir.

"Now I am back in Álftanes and am watching the smoke rising to the sky in the south by Keilir."

The president says he has full trust in the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management. "I am sure all the relevant parties are meeting and going over the protocol and the necessary response."

"We live in the land of fire and ice"

He stresses again his wish that people don't rush to the site of the volcano at this time.

"I just want people to be careful and know more before they go there into the unknown." If this eruption will be anything like the last one, there will be enough time, so there is no need for rush," he says.

- We know that anything can happen in Iceland, right?

Jóhannesson laughs and says: "We live in the land of fire and Ice and act accordingly."

A volcanic eruption started today.

A volcanic eruption started today. mbl.is/Hákon Pálsson

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