Feb 25 • 08:08 UTC 🇮🇸 Iceland Visir

Bus off the road in Fagradal and others in trouble in the strong wind

A small bus with fourteen people went off the road in Fagradal, Iceland, due to strong winds, prompting a rescue operation by local emergency services.

On the evening of February 24, 2026, a small bus carrying fourteen passengers veered off the road in Fagradal, located near Reyðarfjörður, amid severe weather conditions characterized by strong winds and snow. The incident necessitated immediate assistance from local search and rescue teams, particularly from the Landsbjörg organization in East Iceland, which had multiple emergencies to address during this harsh weather event.

The bus, which was on its way to Egilsstaðir, was reported to have gone off the road just before 8 PM. Rescue workers from the Ársól rescue team in Reyðarfjörður were dispatched to the scene, where they safely extracted all fourteen individuals from the bus and continued to their intended destination. Meanwhile, additional rescue teams were called upon to assist stranded travelers in multiple vehicles on the Mývatn and Möðrudalsöræfi routes, as the weather forced road closures in the area.

This incident highlights the challenges posed by Iceland's winter weather, particularly for transportation and travel. Rescue services have been increasingly active in recent years, addressing various emergencies caused by extreme weather conditions. As harsh weather events are expected to become more frequent due to climate change, the experience and readiness of local emergency responders will be critical in ensuring public safety in similar future occurrences.

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