The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin) said it has already carried out several measures and is continuing with further improvements to enhance road-user safety in Vestfjarðagöng. According to local news outlet Bæjarins besta, these changes follow a serious incident in September 2024 when a coach carrying 60 passengers caught fire shortly after exiting a tunnel in Tungudal.
The administration has not detailed specific upgrades, but acknowledged that the September 2024 Vestfjarðagöng fire prompted the action. The coach became engulfed in flames after leaving the tunnel, but the administration has not provided information about injuries or damage outside the vehicle itself.
Background
The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration is a government agency responsible for the construction, management and maintenance of highways, minor roads, and harbours in Iceland. It is part of the Ministry of Infrastructure and has operated since 1918.
Sources
- Bæjarins besta (first reported) in Icelandic
Image: Eric Kilby / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · licence, original (resized) Illustrative image.
