An Icelandic volcano erupted dangerously close to the town of Grindavik.

A volcano erupted in southwest Iceland, the country’s meteorological office said, making it the fifth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021. Authorities said that a coast guard helicopter has been sent to assess the situation and the exact location of the eruption which began north of the fishing town of Grindavik. It is still unclear where the lava was emerging from or in which direction it was flowing, it was reported. Apparently, this is very close to town, which had been evacuated a few hours earlier. Guests at the hotel at the Blue Lagoon have also been evacuated.