Police silence leaves questions over Grindavík search

Police in the Suðurnes region will not explain why they will not resume the search for the remains of Lúðvík Pétursson, who died while working in a sinkhole in Grindavík in January 2024. The unanswered questions were reported by mbl.is.

Police have not said why conditions at the scene were considered too dangerous for the search to continue, how far rescue divers descended into the fissure, or whether the decision means the search is over permanently. It is also unclear whether permission has been granted to fill in the fissure, as has been done in many parts of Grindavík.

The criminal investigation into the accident remains open, but has been with the District Prosecutor’s Office for about a year and a half without further progress, according to the office. Three prosecutors have handled the case. People connected with contractor companies and Iceland Catastrophe Insurance have suspect status.

The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health raised serious concerns about preparations for the work that led to the accident. It said a sufficient risk assessment had not been completed before workers were placed in dangerous conditions during repairs to the fissure, and that safety equipment was inadequate.

A report by a working group appointed by the Ministry of Justice also discussed the fatal accident, but the group did not have access to all the relevant material and did not assess individual responsibility. The report said there was no written government risk assessment for the work at Vesturhóp 29, and the group could not confirm that authorities had inspected the worksite before construction began.

The group said authorities should at least carry out basic inspections of worksites in hazardous areas before allowing contractors to enter. Its report did not establish who was responsible for the accident, but raised questions about how risks were assessed, what information was available when access to the area was decided, and what safety requirements were in place before work began.

The group could not confirm whether the police chief or the incident command had issued specific safety instructions or set clear conditions for contractors’ access. It was also unclear who had made the decision to allow them onto the worksite.