Rescue operations challenged by false alarms in Iceland

Rescue operations are often activated in response to emergency calls, even when there are concerns about their authenticity. According to Rogvaldur Olafsson, an assistant chief of police at the National Commissioner of Police in Iceland, it is challenging to prevent emergency services from being dispatched to false alarms. The value of human life is high, and all emergency calls are taken seriously.

There was a recent case where a distress signal claimed that people were trapped in a cave in South Iceland. A large search party was organized but was later called off as suspicions grew that the report may have been a hoax.

Rogvaldur noted that while the authorities often cannot verify the authenticity of such calls in real-time—given the immediate nature of search and rescue operations—efforts are made to investigate after the fact. Digital messages can often be traced back to their source.

These false alarms not only misuse the trust placed in emergency responders but can also affect their ability to respond effectively to genuine emergencies. Such hoaxes are unfortunately not uncommon and often involve children playing pranks; however, they can hinder responses to legitimate calls for help.

Rogvaldur expressed his disdain for such false calls, highlighting the serious impact they can have on emergency services. Fortunately, most people do not consider making such hoax calls, as they disrupt vital resources and put lives at risk.