London, 17 March 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The flow of lava following the latest volcanic eruption in Iceland has slowed down, officials said on Sunday.

On Saturday evening, the volcano erupted for the fourth time in four months near the Icelandic port town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The type of eruptions are known as fissure eruptions, in which there are normally no large explosions or significant spreading of ash.

Nevertheless, the bright red-orange glow of the eruptions could also be seen from the capital Reykjavik, which lies around 55 kilometres north-east of Grindavík.

Although the lava has slowed, Einar Hjörleifsson from the Icelandic Meteorological Office told broadcaster RUV on Sunday that a district heating pipeline is at risk.

"If the activity does not continue to decrease and the lava flow does not stop, it should reach the pipeline in the next few hours."

Specially constructed dykes would stop and divert the lava, so there is no danger to people so far, he said.

During an eruption in February, the district heating supply for more than 20,000 people was interrupted after lava flows destroyed roads and pipelines.

Only a few people had recently returned to the town, which had been evacuated after the first eruption in the fall, and they have now been brought back to safety, according to officials.

The famous Blue Lagoon, a major Icelandic tourist attraction where around 700 people had been staying, was also evacuated on Saturday evening.

Air traffic to Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik was not affected.