Two years have passed since a 17-year-old boy died in a fire at Stuðlar, an Icelandic closed facility for youths in state care, on 19 October 2024. At the time of the incident, the boy had been placed in emergency care and was deprived of his liberty under the responsibility of the Icelandic state. This was reported by mbl.is and Vísir.
Editorials and commentary published in the Icelandic media argue that when a child is placed in a closed institution to ensure their safety, the child must be able to trust that the facility itself is safe. They state that because the child was under the direct responsibility of the state, the state bears responsibility for the death, according to Vísir and mbl.is.
Despite the passing of two years since the tragedy, public figures such as the Children’s Ombudsman have called for clarity on what authorities have done to improve emergency placement procedures. Salvör Nordal, the Children’s Ombudsman, told DV that authorities must explain what changes have been made to protect children in similar circumstances. She said, “Behind this case is a child who died and a family that has suffered an irreparable loss.” (translated)
Sources
- mbl.is (first reported) in Icelandic
- Vísir in Icelandic
- DV in Icelandic
