Avalanches strike near Ísafjörður and Ólafsfjörður in northwest Iceland

Two avalanches struck near the towns of Ísafjörður and Ólafsfjörður in northwest Iceland on Monday, according to public broadcaster RÚV. No injuries or damage have been reported.

The first avalanche occurred near Ísafjörður, Iceland’s largest town in the Westfjords region, while the second struck in Ólafsfjörður, a coastal village about 100 kilometres to the east. Authorities have not issued evacuation orders but are monitoring conditions closely.

Heavy snowfall and strong winds have increased avalanche risk in the area in recent days. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has warned of unstable snowpack in mountainous regions, particularly in steep terrain.

Both towns have experienced deadly avalanches in the past. In 1995, two separate avalanches in Ísafjörður and Flateyri killed 34 people, leading to stricter safety measures, including the construction of protective barriers.

Source: RÚV.is