Initially, two others were thought to be missing, prompting an intense rescue operation.
However, police now report that this confusion was because of shoddy information provided by the tour organizer.
Breiamerkurjokli is an outlet glacier of the larger Vatnajokull glacier, the second largest ice cap in Europe.
A photo of Iceland’s Image of Iceland’s Jökulsárlón glacial lake, situated at the foot of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier.© TommyBee via Wikimedia Commons
Later that day, police in Icelands Suurlandi regionreportedon social media that four people were struck by ice.
Two of them, identified by police as an American couple, were later found.
One of the pair, a male, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Initially, it was believed that two others were still missing.
However, in an update issued on August 26, police clarified that this was incorrect.
The group actually consisted of 23 people, and no one else was unaccounted for.
No information on the missing tourists could be found in the organizers books.
It has come to light that no one [is trapped] under the ice.
As a result, it is clear that only 23 people were on this hike yesterday.
The rescue operation is now complete and the search has been called off, the police field manager added.
The incident is sparking a debate over Icelands ice cave tourism industry.
Vatnajokull is Europes second largest national park and is home to some of Icelands most famous glaciers.
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