In recent weeks, there have been two tragic water safety incidents involving Chinese citizens in Iceland, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. One accident involved a car that rolled into a river, while the other was a case of a person slipping into the water. The Chinese Embassy in Iceland is mourning the loss and emphasizes the critical need for Chinese tourists in Iceland to prioritize their safety and enhance their awareness of potential hazards.
To ensure safety before traveling, the embassy has provided several key recommendations:
1. **Pre-Travel Preparation:**
– It’s essential to purchase adequate personal safety and medical insurance, as costs for medical services in Iceland can be quite high. Opt for a reputable insurance provider and choose suitable coverage.
– Maintain regular contact with family and friends back home. Share your itinerary and contact details while ensuring you have a reliable way to communicate, such as activating global roaming on your phone or purchasing a local SIM card once you arrive.
– Keep important documents like your passport secure by having both physical copies and electronic scans stored separately.
2. **Safety Precautions While in Iceland:**
– If opting for a self-drive adventure, choose a reputable car rental company and inspect the vehicle thoroughly. Make sure to select appropriate insurance to mitigate potential losses. For group tours, select trustworthy travel agencies.
– Familiarize yourself with Iceland’s traffic regulations. Avoid driving under the influence, when fatigued, or speeding, and never use your phone while driving. Icelandic law mandates that all passengers wear seat belts, and drivers must keep headlights on at all times. Use high beams cautiously and switch to low beams when approaching oncoming vehicles to prevent accidents. Driving off-road is strictly prohibited, and violators may face hefty fines and lack of insurance coverage in case of accidents. For exploring remote areas accessible by “F” roads, use a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
– Due to Iceland’s rapidly changing weather conditions, be extra cautious while driving, especially in winter when icy roads are common. Equip your vehicle with appropriate winter tires to handle sudden ice formation, and stay informed about weather conditions via the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s website, which provides real-time updates. Avoid driving if conditions seem unsafe.
– Iceland’s geography can be challenging, with many roads being gravel and difficult to navigate. Prioritize main roads, as those with lower numerical codes are generally in better condition. Stay alert for hazardous conditions like sharp turns and icy paths. Prior to travel, visit the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website for road condition updates and safety information. Additionally, check Safe Travel for safety tips during your trip. Do not attempt to drive if warnings are issued regarding road conditions.
– Refrain from exploring unsafe or undeveloped areas out of curiosity or for social media posts. Follow local laws and guidelines regarding photography and drone usage, and respect private property to avoid potential issues.
– Although Iceland is generally safe, theft can happen. Keep valuables like passports, cash, and tickets secure. Do not leave bags unattended in vehicles and separate your important documents from your money.
– Be mindful of other potential dangers, such as glacial crevasses, volcanic cracks, and the risk of hypothermia or being swept away by large waves. Avoid hiking on glaciers or entering ice caves without a trained guide.
3. **Emergency Situations:**
– If you encounter an emergency, call the local emergency number 112 and reach out to the Chinese embassy for assistance.
– For emergencies in Iceland, dial 112 (when calling from China, add the international code +354). You can also download emergency apps such as “112 Iceland” and the Icelandic Meteorological Office app “Veður” from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
– The Chinese Embassy in Iceland can be contacted at +354-5276688 for general inquiries or +354-4160128 for consular assistance. Their email is [email protected] and their office is located at Brietartun 1, 105 Reykjavik. For further assistance, you can reach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ global consular protection service center at +86-10-12308 or +86-10-59913991.
