One dead, two missing after ice cave collapse in Iceland

Incident happened as tour group of 25 was visiting Breiamerkurjokull glacier in south-east of country

At least one person has died and two others are missing after an ice cave partially collapsed as a group of tourists was visiting a glacier in southern Iceland.

In a statement posted on social media, local police said first responders received a call shortly before 3pm on Sunday. They said a group of about 25 foreign tourists from several nationalities were exploring ice caves at the Breiamerkurjokull glacier when four people were hit by ice.

Two people were seriously injured, one dying from their injuries at the scene of the accident, another taken by helicopter to a hospital in the capital, reportedly in a stable condition.

A large number of rescuers worked throughout the afternoon and into the evening searching for the two missing people. The operation was paused after dark due to the dangerous conditions but was to resume in the morning, police said.