Iceland volcano - homes engulfed by lava as explosion heard 43 miles away

14 January 2024 , 20:38

1006     0

Iceland is home to 33 active volcano systems, the highest number in Europe (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Lava burned down homes after a volcanic fissure opened in Iceland this morning

Weeks after a previous eruption, at least two houses were destroyed in Grindavik. But authorities said there was no threat to life following an evacuation.

Resident Reynir Berg Jonsson said of seeing lava engulf his house: “We just watch it on the cameras and there’s do. Our entire estate is there, all the big things, but there’s nothing that can’t be replaced.”

Disaster was avoided last month when lava flowed away from the southwestern fishing town, which was first evacuated in November. Defensive walls built to keep lava away were added today.

This is Iceland's fifth volcanic eruption in two years (AFP via Getty Images)

An emergency second evacuation was prompted when earthquakes shook homes shortly after midnight today.

Six teachers open up on 'difficult' strike decision - and why they are doing it

By midday a fissure opened and lava was approaching homes. Few town residents had returned since the last eruption. Essex tourists Lorraine and John Crawford said they can hear the eruption 43 miles away in Reykjavik.

Lorraine told PA news: "It’s alarming in a way – it’s quite exciting to see something like that but then you realise that this could do quite a lot of damage.

Aerial view shows lava and smoke billowing over the landscape (AFP via Getty Images)

"On the way (to the airport), we thought it was just a fire in the distance but (the taxi driver) said it was the actual volcano erupting.”

Lava is still flowing towards Grindavik this evening, while the risk of more issues opening 'cannot be ruled out', Iceland's Meteorological Office has said.

Hollie Bone