On August 25, 2024, an ice cave at Breiðamerkurjökull glacier in southern Iceland collapsed, resulting in the death of an American tourist and injuries to another. The incident occurred during a guided tour of the popular site, which is part of the expansive Vatnajökull National Park.
Icelandic authorities reported on August 26 that a group of international tourists was exploring the ice cave when it suddenly gave way. The identity of the deceased American citizen has not been disclosed. A female American tourist sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a medical facility in Reykjavík by the Icelandic Coast Guard.
Initially, concerns arose about potentially trapped individuals, prompting a search and rescue operation. However, authorities later confirmed that all 23 tour participants were accounted for, leading to the termination of the search efforts. Local tourists in the area provided assistance during the operation, offering food and support.
Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, an outlet of the larger Vatnajökull glacier, is situated within Vatnajökull National Park. Established in 2008, this park is Europe's largest, covering approximately 14% of Iceland's landmass. The region is renowned for its diverse geological features, including both glaciers and volcanoes.
Vatnajökull National Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019, boasts unique characteristics:
- It contains Europe's largest ice cap by volume
- Houses ten volcanoes, eight of which are subglacial
- Features Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss
- Provides habitat for Iceland's only native terrestrial mammal, the Arctic fox
- Includes rare moss species found nowhere else globally
The park's ice caves, formed by summer meltwater, are typically only accessible during winter months. However, climate change has been impacting the region, with Vatnajökull glacier losing about 10% of its mass over the past century.
This incident highlights the potential risks associated with glacier tourism. Despite these dangers, Iceland has experienced a significant increase in American visitors over the past decade. In 2023, American citizens constituted nearly 30% of all tourists to the country, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board.
As investigations into the cave collapse continue, this event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of glacial environments and the importance of safety measures in adventure tourism.