Two weeks ago, a fierce snow storm hit Iceland unexpectedly. At this time of the year we occasionally get the first snow, specially up in the mountains. The storm that hit Iceland Monday two weeks ago was a full blown winter storm with heavy snow fall in the North of the country. As the gatherings of sheep had not yet started tens of thousands of sheep got cought in the storm and thousands got killed. In the following days farmers and rescue squads where in the mountains searching for life sheep.
The sheep is well dressed in their warm wool and can withstand some really bad weather. If the get frozen stuck under a thick layer of snow they don't stand much chance though. Here are some amazing images from the rescue work:
A snowmobile transporting sheep and rescuers through the storm. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir
The snow was a few meters deep in some places. Photo Erna Erlingdsóttir.
Dogs and avalanche poles where used to search for the sheep in the snow. Here is one freed after 6 days and still able to run! Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir
We have a live one! Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir
Three sheep. One life, two dead. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir
Refueling. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir
People, dogs and vehicles were pushed to the extreme. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir
The sheep had seeked shelter under this rock. 22 found, 15 dead, 7 alive. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir
A river of sheep that have been rescued from the storm. Photo: Gísli Haraldsson
They are still finding life ones, after two weeks, though most found now are dead. Farmers and rescue workers have done an amazing jobs there.
Hjörtur
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