Lots of damage claims after landslides

Insurance companies have been inundated with damage claims after yesterday’s landslides.

As of noon today, Betri Trygging had received 112 claims from across the country, although most came from Klaksvík.

Skriðulop í Klaksvík

“Our main focus now is on gaining an overview of the situation and to provide emergency help,” says Anniká Heygum, who heads Betri Trygging’s loss and damage department.

 >> SEE ALSO Clearing up after landslides

“It’s a little early to make any conclusions, but it seems clear that quite a few families in Klaksvík will not be able to celebrate Christmas in their own homes.”

Skriðulop í Klaksvík, Skalvalop í Klaksvík

She calls on anyone who might have a spare house for short-term rental to contact Betri Trygging.

Insurance firm Trygd had received about 50 damage claims by noon today.

“We expect to receive many more as the people who fled their homes yesterday return to assess the damage,” says Trygd CEO Brian Smedemark.

Some residents can return home

News just in: residents in the affected districts of Klaksvík whose houses have not suffered extensive damage have been told that it is safe to return to their homes.

The decision was made by Klaksvík City Council in consultation with weather experts and geologists.

And the man who got stuck in the Klaksvík landslide has been released from hospital. He says he feels lucky to be alive as it could easily have ended up much worse.

Read the Faroese versions of this article here, here and here.

More Faroese News in English.