Unexploded ordnance discovered near volcanic eruption site in Reykjanes Peninsula

Several unexploded ordnance items have been discovered near the site of a volcanic eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula, which began last week. Despite warning signs marking the hazardous area, people continue to access the eruption site.

According to authorities, the lava flow from the eruption is passing over an area previously used as a U.S. military shooting range from the 1950s to 1960s, raising significant safety concerns. Gylfi Þór Þorsteinsson, a team leader for the Red Cross and project manager for the Grindavik Committee, expressed his fears about the dangers posed to visitors, both locals and tourists, if they inadvertently come into contact with explosives.

Jonas Karl Thorvaldsson, leader of the Coast Guard’s special operations unit, reported on the previous weekend that the area is dangerously contaminated with munitions, making it hazardous as the eruption progresses. He mentioned that cleaning efforts have been attempted multiple times, but cleared areas continue to reveal remnants of ordnance, complicating the clean-up process due to the treacherous terrain.

As tourism to the eruption site continues to attract visitors, officials urge caution and awareness of the potential risks involved. To avoid accidents, it is crucial that individuals respect the clearly marked borders of the dangerous zones around the eruption.