View from Reykjavik towards the area where a volcano eruption was taking place on the Reykjanes peninsula, in Iceland, July 10, 2023.  REUTERS/Sigurdur Davidsson
Iceland

Icelandic volcano spews "life threatening toxic gas pollution"

Icelandic police have restricted access to a volcano spewing "life-threatening toxic gas pollution" since it began erupting on Monday.

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Icelandic police have restricted access to a volcano that has been spewing out "life threatening toxic gas pollution" since it began erupting on Monday, the department of civil protection and emergency management said.

Residents of the Reykjanes peninsula, near the capital Reykjavik, have been encouraged to sleep with windows closed and to switch off ventilation, the department said in a statement on Facebook late on Monday.

"The police, after counsel from scientists, have decided to restrict access to the eruption site due to enormous and life threatening toxic gas pollution," the department said.

Smoke billows and lava spurts after the eruption of a volcano, on the Reykjanes peninsula, near the capital Reykjavik, in southwest Iceland, July 10, 2023, in this picture obtained from social media.

"For the next hours it is highly likely that gas will build up around the eruption site due to low wind. Those who have already undertaken the hike to the eruption site, or are already there, are strongly advised to leave the area," it said.

View from Reykjavik, with smoke on the horizon, towards the area where a volcano eruption was taking place on the Reykjanes peninsula, in Iceland, July 10, 2023.

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Robert Birsel)

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