Police in Grindavík end search with no trace of man lost in sinkhole

The Police Commissioner of Suðurnes District concluded a formal search operation at Vesturhóp 29 in Grindavík, southern Iceland, after finding no signs indicating where Lúðvík Pétursson’s remains might be, according to DV, which first reported the story. The operation followed Pétursson’s fall into a sinkhole in January 2024 and was the most extensive search at the site to date.

Grindavík is a fishing town on the Reykjanes peninsula that has been subject to repeated evacuations due to volcanic activity since November 2023. The search began at around 09:00, and the Icelandic Police (Lögreglan) established a field command in the area. Responders and specialists worked on site to secure safety and prepare the search area.

Reports from the time of the accident described Pétursson falling into a crack or chasm that had opened in the ground. Previous limited search operations involved visual inspection and the use of cameras by specialised personnel who descended into the fissure. The primary objective had been to examine conditions at the scene, rather than perform a rescue, following a risk assessment carried out with input from domestic and foreign experts.

The latest operation made use of rubble-clearing equipment and inspection cameras. It involved the structural rescue team of ICE-SAR and the special unit of the National Commissioner of Police, with two searchers being lowered into the fissure for visual and camera inspections. The effort lasted seven and a half hours. Ultimately, no evidence was found which would reveal the location of Pétursson’s remains, and formal search activity at the site was ended. Media were given a chance to photograph the scene at the beginning of the search, and further details were promised in due course.

Background

Grindavík is a fishing town in the Southern Peninsula district of Iceland, located near Þorbjörn. The town has a harbour on the coast, and most inhabitants work in the fishing industry. Grindavík is also known for the Blue Lagoon, its best-known attraction, located a few kilometres from the town.

TopicsGrindavíkIcelandic Policesearch and rescuesinkhole incident