Ministry accepts Lúðvík Pétursson's family's request

The Prime Minister's Office has approved a request from the family of Lúðvík Pétursson, who died when he fell into a crevasse in Grindavík on January 10, for an independent investigation into the incident.

The family received a letter to this effect in late November. It states that it has been agreed to review actions or inaction in the area in the run-up to the death and that a working group will be established to examine the incident.

Elías Pétursson, Lúðvík's brother, says the family is pleased with the outcome.

"We are very pleased with this outcome and believe that if done well, this could be of great benefit," he says.

More than one person with the legal status of a defendant

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has already investigated the incident and issued a report commenting on safety issues that led to the death. A police investigation is now underway, and several people involved in the decision-making process have been informed that more than one person has the legal status of a defendant.

Not looking for the culprits

Pétursson says the idea behind this review is not to look for culprits.

"What is clear is that the system's decisions need to be reviewed;  decisions by civil defense and such. The Civil Protection and Emergency Management has extensive sources when it comes to situations like this in this danger zone. They need to be reviewed to learn from them. Not to look for the culprits, but to learn from the decisions that were made so that the next time we encounter major events, we can be better prepared and make better decisions."

He hopes that those who made the decisions in the danger zone will welcome the fact that their decisions will be reviewed.

"These are all people who are paid to make decisions and therefore they must welcome the fact that their decisions are being reviewed and whether anything could have gone better. Everyone must understand that.”

The death will work for good in the future

He says that relations with officials have been very friendly the whole time. He has been in informal discussions with ministries, officials, and, among others, Bjarni Benediktsson, the Prime Minister.

“After we sent a formal letter, I can say that the minister and the ministry have done a very good job and we are happy with the reception and the outcome,” Pétursson says.

“First and foremost, we are trying to make this miserable and seemingly senseless death work out for the good in the future.”