Experts assess whether Lúðvík’s remains can be recovered

Foreign specialists are assessing possible ways to recover the remains of Lúðvík Pétursson, who died in a workplace accident in Hópahverfi, a district of Grindavík, mbl.is reports.

The experts are examining, among other things, whether a recovery operation would be feasible.

According to Suðurnes police chief Margrét Kristín Pálsdóttir, the specialists were brought in to provide an impartial assessment of a memorandum prepared by engineering firm COWI.

Repairs to the building where the accident occurred are scheduled for the autumn. The aim is to decide on any possible recovery operation before those works begin.

COWI’s memorandum states that lowering someone into the fissure would be more promising than disturbing the ground further, as additional disturbance could increase the risk of a collapse. The memorandum does not, however, recommend whether the operation should go ahead.

The Ministry of Justice subsequently instructed the Suðurnes police chief to conduct an independent risk assessment before a final decision is made. The assessments by the three specialists on whether a recovery operation should take place, and how it could best be carried out, will be incorporated into the overall assessment Pálsdóttir has been tasked with preparing.

Lúðvík’s family has strongly urged that his remains be recovered so they can bring closure to the case.