Fjarðarheiði heath, which connects the town of Seyðisfjörður to the Ring Road 1 and the town of Egilsstaðir, is becoming impassable due to a blizzard and poor driving conditions. The road has not been closed to traffic, but the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority has been unable to plow the road due to the many poorly equipped cars which have gotten stuck on the heath. Police in East Iceland has advised people who are driving cars which are not specifically equipped to drive in difficult winter conditions not to attempt crossing the heath.
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that the people who are currently stuck on Fjarðarheiði heath left Seyðisfjörður this morning after they arrived by the car ferry Norröna from Denmark. In addition to the cars which are stuck on the heath 10 tour buses, and numerous passenger cars are stuck waiting in the town of Seyðisfjörður. Several hundred people are trapped in the town waiting for the weather to improve and the road to re-open.
Passengers on Norröna in trouble
Seyðisfjörður is one of the most picturesque towns in the Eastfjords. The car ferry Norröna, which sails between Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, docks in Fáskrúðsfjörður. The ferry docked earlier this morning, bringing with passengers who plan to drive around Iceland. Some of these are now stuck on the heath connecting Fáskrúðsfjörður to the Ring Road.
According to the local newspaper Morgunblaðið Search and Rescue units have not yet been called out to assist the travellers. A truck from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority is on its way to the stranded travellers to determine if they need emergency assistance.
Poor conditions on many heath roads
Travellers are advised to check road conditions and the weather forecast. Driving conditions on many heaths on the Ring Road in East Iceland and the Westfjords are very difficult.
Fjarðarheiði heath, which connects the town of Seyðisfjörður to the Ring Road 1 and the town of Egilsstaðir, is becoming impassable due to a blizzard and poor driving conditions. The road has not been closed to traffic, but the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority has been unable to plow the road due to the many poorly equipped cars which have gotten stuck on the heath. Police in East Iceland has advised people who are driving cars which are not specifically equipped to drive in difficult winter conditions not to attempt crossing the heath.
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that the people who are currently stuck on Fjarðarheiði heath left Seyðisfjörður this morning after they arrived by the car ferry Norröna from Denmark. In addition to the cars which are stuck on the heath 10 tour buses, and numerous passenger cars are stuck waiting in the town of Seyðisfjörður. Several hundred people are trapped in the town waiting for the weather to improve and the road to re-open.
Passengers on Norröna in trouble
Seyðisfjörður is one of the most picturesque towns in the Eastfjords. The car ferry Norröna, which sails between Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, docks in Fáskrúðsfjörður. The ferry docked earlier this morning, bringing with passengers who plan to drive around Iceland. Some of these are now stuck on the heath connecting Fáskrúðsfjörður to the Ring Road.
According to the local newspaper Morgunblaðið Search and Rescue units have not yet been called out to assist the travellers. A truck from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority is on its way to the stranded travellers to determine if they need emergency assistance.
Poor conditions on many heath roads
Travellers are advised to check road conditions and the weather forecast. Driving conditions on many heaths on the Ring Road in East Iceland and the Westfjords are very difficult.
