Health officials scrutinized after incidents during Þjóðhátíð festival in Vestmannaeyjar

Health officials in Vestmannaeyjar have faced scrutiny following a series of violent incidents during the annual Þjóðhátíð festival. Two young men were injured in unprovoked assaults and sought medical attention at the local health care center during the event.

Díana Óskarsdóttir, the director of the South Iceland Health Care Institution, emphasized that medical staff responded appropriately according to established protocols. However, the families of the victims are expressing dissatisfaction with the emergency response. They claim that their sons’ injuries, which included serious facial trauma requiring 38 stitches and a concussion from a forehead injury, were not adequately managed by emergency services. The families also raised concerns that the incidents were not documented in the police log, and that the victims were not transported to a hospital for further treatment.

In addressing the complaints, Óskarsdóttir refused to comment on specific cases but reiterated the commitment of the health care staff to serve patients effectively. She acknowledged that while the responses adhered to protocol, there may be discussions about how follow-up care should be handled.

When inquiring about established procedures for adult victims of violence seeking medical help, it was clarified that while adults are encouraged to report to the police, health officials do not initiate contact with law enforcement on their behalf.

The aftermath of the Þjóðhátíð incidents raises important questions about emergency response practices in the face of violence and the communication between medical and law enforcement authorities during major public events.