Three youths absconded after fire at rehabilitation center Stuðlar in Iceland

Three youths absconded after a fire at the rehabilitation center, Stuðlar, led to its closure over the weekend. Reports indicate that following the blaze on Saturday morning and the subsequent evacuation, the three young individuals left the facility. Among them was a 15-year-old boy who had been residing at Stuðlar since August. He reportedly ran away just 20 minutes after being transported back to his home, remaining missing for two days.

Tragically, a 17-year-old boy lost his life in the fire, and an employee sustained injuries. An investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing. At the time of the incident, seven children were at Stuðlar, four of whom were in emergency accommodation.

Funi Sigurðsson, the acting director of the center, stated that all the children have been taken to safety, either returned home or sent to another facility called Vog. He reassured that the situation is being managed effectively, with staff providing necessary support to the youths.

The authorities are also planning to reassess their protocols in light of the incident. Just prior to the fire, a news commentary program had discussed the conditions at Stuðlar, raising concerns about the wellbeing of the residents. Further updates on this situation are expected.