Authorities call for emergency response upgrades for Hvalfjörður Tunnel in Reykjavík

Authorities in the Reykjavík capital area have called for updates to emergency response plans related to the Hvalfjörður Tunnel following a recent bus fire near the Westfjords tunnels. Jón Viðar Matthíasson, the area’s fire chief, emphasized the need for these upgrades due to increasing traffic that has surpassed initial design expectations.

The concept of constructing additional interconnected tunnels alongside the existing ones has been under consideration for some time. After a fire in a passenger vehicle within the Hvalfjörður Tunnel last October, there have been growing concerns about safety measures.

The proposed new tunnels would feature connections that allow people to transfer to alternative passages in the event of an emergency, enabling quicker access for emergency responders. Currently, firefighters must enter the tunnels from either Reykjavík or Akranes depending on the situation.

Jón Viðar noted that several improvements have already been made within the Hvalfjörður Tunnel to assist emergency personnel in identifying fire origins and determining response strategies, including the activation of ventilation systems. Furthermore, there are considerations regarding the adequacy of firefighting equipment for tunnel incidents.

Meanwhile, the Icelandic Transport Authority is analyzing data following the bus fire and aims to prepare an updated emergency response plan for the Westfjords tunnels in the coming weeks. The authority is taking the incident seriously as smoke from a bus in the single-lane tunnels could have led to a major disaster, highlighting the need for enhanced monitoring and safety measures.