Once again, dozens of visitors were seen standing dangerously close to the shoreline at Reynisfjara beach in South Iceland yesterday morning, despite a flashing red warning light indicating hazardous sea conditions.
This is according to civil protection authorities, and later reported on by RÚV.
Björn Ingi Jónsson, director of civil protection at the South Iceland Police, said the incident highlights an ongoing challenge at the popular site, where some visitors knowingly take risks to experience the dramatic coastline up close.
Coastal Safety Travellers explore Reynisfjara. Photo: GolliWhen the red light is active, conditions are considered particularly dangerous due to powerful and unpredictable waves.
Additional warning signage, flashing lights and a closing gate were installed at Reynisfjara towards the end of the summer, following the death of a nine-year-old German girl in August. Jónsson said the measures have led to clear improvements, with fewer people approaching the water than before, though they have not eliminated risky behaviour altogether.
Tour guide Heiðrún Hauksdóttir, who was present yesterday morning, said she observed approximately 30 to 40 people moving close to the water’s edge. She described visitors climbing over rocks and reacting playfully as waves washed over their feet, despite the visible warning signals.
According to Jónsson, such situations often escalate once one person steps closer to the sea, encouraging others to follow. Police monitor Reynisfjara using surveillance cameras and conduct regular patrols, but he said there is no simple solution.
“We are constantly learning and trying to improve how we communicate the dangers,” he said, adding that while the current measures reduce risk, they cannot prevent all unsafe behaviour.
The post Red Warning Light Ignored by Visitors at Reynisfjara, Authorities Say appeared first on Iceland Review.
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