Statement by the Government of Iceland
At its meeting this morning, the Government met the National Police Commissioner and representatives of the Civil Protection Department, who presented an account of the security situation in the vicinity of the volcanic eruption in the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.
Response measures were set in motion after the eruption started at the top of the glacier on Wednesday, 14 April. These measures are intended to avert or limit, as far as possible, injury and harm to health and damage to property and the environment as a result of the eruption.
In all aspects, the civil protection structure has proved extremely reliable, and collaboration between all those involved has gone smoothly and efficiently. The people of the area have acted with admirable calm and responsibility, for which they deserve gratitude. Scientists have played an invaluable role in assessing the likely progress of the eruption and the flash flooding and identifying possible factors which cannot be predicted with any certainty. The police, the Coast Guard and the scout rescue teams all deserve our gratitude for their contribution in helping the scientists and the Civil Protection staff in their work. The Government also wishes to thank all the other people who have made a contribution to the safety measures taken in connection with the eruption.
It is assumed that the eruption will continue over the coming days and possibly weeks, and civil protection measures will be structured accordingly. This means that there is still a danger of flash flooding and ashfalls which may have serious consequences for livestock, homes, roads and bridges, etc. The public and tourists visiting Iceland are urged to keep up to date with the latest news and announcements from the Civil Protection Department and to exercise caution. The effects of the eruption on air traffic both in Iceland and abroad are under close observation. As has already been reported, the ash plume from the eruption has seriously disrupted air traffic across Europe. Forecasts of the distribution of the ash are made four times in every twenty-four-hour period, and schedules are changed accordingly. Regular reports of all new developments will be given to the public.
Nationwide response and preventive measures are being directed by the Civil Protection staff at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Skógarhlíð in Reykjavík and the local coordination centre in Hella, in collaboration with their equivalent bodies overseas.
Reykjavík, April 16, 2010