Community rocked by ecstasy death

The small municipality of Akranes in Western Iceland is in shock at the sudden death of a seventeen-year-old girl who had taken ecstasy.

The deceased is believed to have taken one ecstasy tablet in Akranes on Saturday night before falling acutely ill. The young girl died in intensive care the following night.

The parish priest of Akranes Church, Rev. Eðvarð Ing­ólfs­son, has described the shock and numbness felt by the community. “She had many friends and relatives in Akranes,” says Ingólfsson. “People have asked for a prayer service for her friends.”

Ing­ólfs­son and another priest from Akranes Church have been tending to the relatives and friends of the dead girl, in cooperation with the trauma team of the local hospital.

Ecstasy tablets, also known as MDMA. Photo: Kristinn Ingvarsson