50th Anniversary of the Deadly Avalanches in Neskaupstaður
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the tragic avalanches that struck Neskaupstaður on December 20, 1974. These avalanches claimed the lives of 12 individuals out of the 26 who were caught in the catastrophic event. Remarkably, two of the bodies were swept out to sea and have never been recovered. The first avalanche, known colloquially as the “Bræðsluflóðið,” struck just after noon, covering an 800-meter-wide area and causing significant damage to the town’s infrastructure.
The Avalanche Impact
The “Bræðsluflóðið” avalanche destroyed large storage tanks filled with fish oil and petroleum, which collided with the Síldarbræðslan fish processing plant and several other structures, including a freezing plant and workers’ accommodations. Approximately 20 minutes later, a second avalanche, known as “Mánaflóð,” struck, devastating residential areas, including the Mánahús residential building, Steypusalan’s warehouse, and an automotive service building.
Rescue Efforts and Memorial
Immediate rescue operations commenced amidst harsh weather conditions. Of the five people trapped in the freezing plant, only one survived, while three of the five individuals working at the Síldarbræðslan were found deceased. Miraculously, a 19-year-old boy was found alive 20 hours later, trapped under the debris. The second avalanche swept a two-story house into the sea, resulting in the deaths of two women and two children. Remarkably, a young woman and her child were found alive beneath the rubble.
Memorial services will be held at Norðfjarðarkirkja at 5 PM and Fella- og Hólakirkja at 8 PM to honor those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Community Response and Aftermath
The avalanches devastated Neskaupstaður’s economy, destroying its largest businesses and leaving the community in shock. In the aftermath, residents united to clear debris and rebuild. Geir Hallgrímsson, the then Prime Minister, described the situation as worse than anticipated, praising the residents’ resilience and unity in overcoming the disaster.
The recovery efforts were hampered by severe weather, which made access to the disaster site challenging. People from nearby communities traveled by sea to assist with rescue efforts, demonstrating the widespread support for Neskaupstaður.
Challenges for Local Leadership
At the time of the disaster, Logi Kristjánsson, a 33-year-old town mayor, faced the daunting task of leading recovery efforts. He recently published a memoir, “Fjall í fangið,” co-authored with his wife, Ólöf Þorvaldsdóttir, recounting the challenges and the community’s spirit in rebuilding the town.
Logi recalls the massive oil spill caused by a 900-ton tank being torn apart, with most of the oil seeping into the snow. A clever solution was devised by the harbor master, who suggested moving the contaminated snow to the small boat harbor, allowing the oil to separate as the snow melted, thus preventing a major environmental disaster.
Progress and Criticism of Avalanche Protection Efforts
In the wake of the disaster, avalanche safety became a priority, leading to the formation of a snow avalanche committee tasked with mapping the incidents and proposing comprehensive safety measures. Despite these efforts, the construction of protective structures was delayed, drawing criticism over the years.
It wasn’t until after the deadly avalanches in Súðavík and Flateyri in 1995, which claimed 34 lives, that a national avalanche fund was established. Currently, the fourth and final phase of avalanche protection in Neskaupstaður is underway, expedited after avalanches struck unprotected areas in March of the previous year.
Logi Kristjánsson reflects on the long journey, noting, “It has taken 50 years to complete the task of protecting the majority of the town’s infrastructure.”
This news article provides a detailed account of the devastating avalanches that occurred in Neskaupstaður in 1974, their impact, rescue efforts, and the subsequent community response and protective measures. It also highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance avalanche protection in the region and the challenges faced by local leaders at the time.