LONDON — Police in Iceland have put up boundaries and closed Mount Fagradalsfjall, one of many nation’s hottest vacationer sights, as a consequence of well being and security considerations after the volcano’s eruption this week.

Hjördis Guðmundsdottir, of the Icelandic Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, instructed ABC News that a whole bunch of cops have closed off all main paths and parking heaps close to the volcano to stop folks from visiting. He mentioned police even have search and rescue groups on standby as it’s tough to shut off all routes.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) additionally put out a new warning Saturday after issuing a number of advisories this week asking folks to keep away from the realm as a result of dangerously excessive ranges of volcanic gases, particularly sulfur dioxide which might trigger irritation and irritation of the respiratory system when inhaled at excessive ranges.

“Travelers are advised not to enter the area until responders have had a chance to evaluation conditions,” IMO mentioned in a press release this week.

The workplace added Saturday: “No one is risking his/her life to save you – keep that in mind.”

Guðmundsdottir mentioned 50 to 60 emergency personnel — police, park rangers and search and rescue groups — are on the website at the moment.

Thousands of vacationers had visited Mount Fagradalsfjall in latest months to see the energetic volcano, which has erupted 3 times within the final two years.

According to the Icelandic Tourist Board, the variety of guests has fallen dramatically since police began closing off the realm off with solely 17 folks visiting yesterday, compared to 4082 visitors over your complete week.

Even after the newest eruption Monday, the volcano had remained common with vacationers. Milad, a 30-year-old pupil, went to see Mount Fagradalsfjall earlier than it closed and instructed ABC News he witnessed the lava eruptions firsthand.

Milad mentioned he and everybody round him had been in awe of the pure spectacle. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience, and it is not something you can do every day. We went to watch nature’s heartbeat and it was amazing,” he mentioned.

He mentioned he and his pals had stayed up to date on the hazards by means of textual content messages issued by the Icelandic authorities detailing the day-to-day situations on the website. “There are ambulances posted around if anyone needs help,” he added.

The British Foreign Office additionally issued a journey warning telling its residents to keep away from Mount Fagradalsfjall as a consequence of noxious gases.

The Icelandic tourism board has lately acknowledged the potential financial advantages of Mount Fagradalsfjall, and has actively promoted the volcano as a must-see attraction.

The tourism business is a key element of Iceland’s economic system. According to authorities statistics, tourism accounts for about 7.8% of the GDP and is credited with creating 1000’s of jobs for its residents. The nation has emerged as a high journey vacation spot as a consequence of awe-inspiring landscapes and its geothermal websites like Fagradalsfjall.