Reykjavik, 14 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The Icelandic fishing town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula will be evacuated again amid renewed volcanic activity in the area, local authorities said on Saturday.

All 4,000 inhabitants should leave Grindavík by Monday evening, after which it will be prohibited to stay there for the following three weeks, the police said in a statement.

The location near an active volcano is still classified as dangerous after earthquakes in November and there is an increased risk of volcanic eruptions, according to a risk assessment by civil defence experts.

Shortly before Christmas, a fourth eruption in three years occurred near Grindavík, which is located south-west of the capital Reykjavik. The town had already been evacuated due to a series of earthquakes over the preceding weeks that caused major damage, including deep cracks in the streets.

A few days ago, Icelandic media reported that a worker fell into one of these fissures. The search for him has since been suspended and he has not been found.

Photo: MIA archive