Iceland’s capital Reykjavik is rattled by powerful 5.6-magnitude earthquake a week after increased seismic activity was recorded at volcano that erupted in 2011 cancelling hundreds of flights
Iceland’s capital Reykjavik has been rattled by a 5.6-magnitude earthquake a week after rumblings were detected at the volcano which brought European aviation to a standstill in 2011.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office said the quake struck at 1:43 pm and was centred near Krysuvik, about 20 miles south of Reykjavik. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir was being interviewed on live television from her home when everything around her started shaking.
‘Oh my God there’s an earthquake,’ she said as she grabbed hold of the desk in front of her and gasped.
‘Well this is Iceland!’ The 44-year-old PM said as she laughed off the bang, saying she was ‘perfectly fine’ and ‘the house was still strong.’
Meanwhile, the parliament in Reykjavik was also rocked by the seismic movements, sending an MP addressing the house rushing for cover.
Helgi Hrafn Gunnarsson, MP for the Pirate Party, scarpered away from the lectern while the Speaker, Steingrímur J. Sigfússon, stayed seated behind him.
‘Just sit calmly, sit calmly,’ the elder statesman is heard telling the MP.
Volcanic Iceland is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, though most quakes are small and do little damage.