Updated 10.47 | Published 10.34
Maria Hedman, 51, went out immediately when the volcanic eruption was a fact.
Together with thousands of volcano tourists, she watched as the spectacle reached its climax.
– It was the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of, she says.
After two earthquakes on Monday evening at 9 p.m., it was time. The feared volcanic eruption that caused the entire Grindavik to urgently evacuate.
At the same time, curious Icelanders flocked to see up close as the lava spewed up to 150 meters into the air from the four kilometer long fissure.
Maria Hedman, who lives in Reyjkavik, could see the eruption from her home – but that wasn’t enough.
– We went in and watched TV and then me and my husband looked at each other and said, now we’re going there. When we stopped, we could see the whole spectacle, she says.
Despite the calls from the authorities to stay at home, they went out. And they were not alone. According to Maria, there were many thousands who did just like her and her husband.
– It was like a lemming train. One was euphoric to see this. Maybe because you knew you were safe, she says.
– The biggest problem yesterday was keeping all Icelanders away. On the radio they said the road is closed, but it wasn’t. There were any number of cars.
Evacuees from Grindavik
They watched as lava spewed out at a rate of between 100 and 200 cubic meters per second.
For over a month, the residents have been waiting. The outbreak is described by experts as many times stronger than the outbreaks in recent years.
– I have lived here for 23 years. During that time, there have been some volcanic eruptions. I have never been this close, she says.
At 10 p.m., the 4,000 inhabitants of the town of Grindavik were forced to leave their homes.
– Now it is so definite. The question is whether they will ever get to go home again. So it’s a lot of work.
Maria knows several of them. Some of them are colleagues of hers.
– They had to leave neck and neck. It’s terrible, says Maria Hedman.