Rescue efforts ongoing for hiker injured in hot spring incident at Kerlingarfjöll, Iceland

Rescue efforts are ongoing for a hiker who suffered burns on his foot after stepping into a hot spring at Kerlingarfjöll earlier today. Nearly fifty rescue team members have been searching for the man, and efforts continue to transport him to a coast guard helicopter.

The rescue operation has been challenging, as the location determined from the man’s mobile phone was not sufficiently precise. As a result, rescue teams had to search for him on foot, which took approximately two hours. Jón Þór Víglundsson, a spokesperson for Landsbjörg, reported that about fifty responders participated in the mission, alongside the helicopter crew. Rescue teams from various areas, including Laugarvatn, Biskupstungum, and Grímsnes, were involved. Additional teams from Árborg and Hellu, as well as other parts of South Iceland, later joined the operation.

Rescue teams prepared the man on a stretcher, providing wraps for his injuries. According to Jón Þór, the man remains in good spirits despite his injuries. Efforts are underway to bring him to a location where the coast guard helicopter can safely land, although visibility in the area is poor. Jón Þór pointed out that if it is not possible to airlift the man, he will be transported by rescue vehicles that have just arrived at the site.