Tours resume on Breiðamerkurjökull glacier amid safety concerns in Iceland

Tours on the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier have resumed following a tragic fatality in August, prompting the National Park to prohibit tours until November 1. However, concerns arose when reports indicated that tourists were seen participating in glacier tours without the necessary crampons on October 1, the first day back for such excursions. The involved company stated that this should not have happened and assured they have addressed the issue.

Haukur Ingi Einarsson, owner of Glacier Adventure, emphasized the importance of safety in these tours. As part of their reopening, tours were allowed in three caves, but only by companies with a contract with the national park. Tours will continue to undergo daily safety evaluations, a practice that many companies have been following voluntarily since the incident.

Einarsson noted the rigorous safety assessments that need to be conducted daily, based on various factors including cave shape and ice stability. In addition to ice falls, significant risks like crevice falls necessitate the use of proper gear, such as crampons and harnesses when navigating on the glacier, which is clearly outlined in agreements with the national park.

Despite the precautionary measures, images surfaced from October 1 showing a guide from Marina Travel leading a group without crampons. The company’s management expressed that safety rules are typically strictly enforced, describing the incident as an isolated occurrence. Following the national park’s investigation, this violation is currently under legal review. The situation underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols in glacier tourism.