Thirty-nine in the snowmobiling group were on the Langjokull glacier Tuesday when the storm abruptly moved in. Weather officials, however, said storm warnings were issued for the area before the snowmobile group arrived.
Hundreds of rescuers and dozens of vehicles were dispatched to the glacier to search for the group, officials said. Despite blizzard conditions, they were ultimately located. All 39 tourists were taken to safety early Wednesday morning.
Blizzard conditions with heavy Snowfall near #Reykjavik, Iceland this morning 8th January! Thanks to Bjorgvinp via instagram; #severeweather #extremeweather pic.twitter.com/XniUKLhnHg
— WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) January 8, 2020
Authorities said one woman was hospitalized due to frostbite.
Icelandic Met Office meteorologist Elin Bjork Jonasdottir said the Mountaineers of Iceland tour company should have been aware of the dangerous conditions. Numerous flights and bus services were canceled because of the inclement weather.
Mountaineers of Iceland tour guide Olafur Tryggvason said the company is "looking into the issue."
An Australian couple sued the company in January, saying it abandoned them on the Langjokull glacier, Iceland's second-largest ice cap, for seven hours.
Source: United Press International
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