13 November 2023 , 11:53
1139
0
Shocked locals in an Icelandic town were given just 15 minutes to grab what they could after the area was hit by an earthquake during a volcanic eruption – and the moment was caught on camera by a visiting Brit.
Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, 29, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday as his house shook and locals frantically evacuated the area – and Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarsson's home as they rushed to pack essentials.
Police had evacuated the town after seismic activity in the area moved south towards them, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland's Meteorological Office said. And locals in the area were given just 15 minutes to return and gather their pets and essentials after they evacuated their homes.
Caitlin McLean and Gisli Gunnarsson were shocked when the earthquake hit Grindavik (PA)According to the Daily Mail, Mr Gunnarsson, a music composer, said: "At around four on Friday, (the earthquakes) just started being non-stop. Just constant big quakes for hours. First and foremost, the thought that you might never see your hometown ever again, that's tough.
"We all rushed out of (Grindavik) so quickly, in a matter of hours, so we didn't really think at the time that might possibly be the last time we see our home, so that's been difficult. It's a pretty grim situation at the moment."
Blackpool hit by earthquake that sounded like rattling train as furniture shakes
Other locals in the area who had evacuated were allowed to "quickly" return to snatch what they could, including their pets. Civil Defence were awaiting a risk assessment but were able to let a small number of Grindavík residents back to their homes.
Many pets were left behind in the evacuation, so this plan allowed owners to bring their beloved animals to safety – with a 15-30 minute window being opened for them, accompanied by responders, one street at a time.
Hanna Evensen from Cat Shelter waited more than five hours at a checkpoint to rescue some of the 59 cats left in Grindavik (Getty Images)Ms McLean, an artist, added that the catastrophe was "difficult" to come to terms with. She said: "I think it's difficult for the residents to really process that. I think everyone's still a wee bit shocked and it's not really sinking in there is a possibility they're not going to be able to go home.'
She has also warned volcano enthusiasts to stay away and "be respectful" to people whose homes have been affected. She said: "I would definitely say there's been quite a lot of people wanting to fly over (to Iceland), like people that are interested in volcanoes and lava.
"They're trying to keep tourists away because there's been people already trying to fly drones over the town. I understand for a lot of people this is a big spectacle, but these people are losing their homes potentially, so just to be respectful."
Mr Gunnarsson said the earthquakes were the heaviest he has seen. He said: "Not even the search and rescue are really going (to the town) at the moment. The uncertainty is too high and it's ready to pop at any moment, the eruption."
One of Iceland's biggest tourist draw is the The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and staff there have now said it will close until November 16 while there is still the risk of an eruption, while the country's government has declared a state of emergency.
Magma is seen coming out of the Fagradalsfjall volcano behind the tourist landmark Blue Lagoon, near the town of Grindavik (AFP via Getty Images)A live interview for Icelandic TV news outlet Fréttastofa RÚV was being conducted by the mayor of Grindavik, Fannar Jónasson, when he was interrupted by a tremor. The camera began to shake and Mr Jónasson stopped mid-sentence with the building behind him also vibrating.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office recorded around 800 quakes between midnight and 2pm on Friday with the shallowest depth at between 1.86 to 2.18miles. And in some terrible news for the town's residents, a magma tunnel that is forming could reach Grindavik but authorities said they do not know if it will break the surface.
The Civil Protection Agency said: "Earthquakes may become bigger than those that have already occurred, and this sequence of events could lead to an eruption. However, there are still no signs that the magma is nearing the surface. Its progress is being closely monitored."
Over 3,400 people killed as massive 7.8 magnitude quake rocks Syria and Turkey
The UK Foreign Office has warned the public that a volcanic eruption is increasingly likely, saying: "Earthquakes and indications of volcanic activity have increased above normal levels on the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik. The Icelandic authorities continue to monitor the area closely, particularly the area north-west of Mt Thorbjörn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon. Visitors are advised to stay away from the area."