Air space closed over part of Iceland as Bardarbunga volcano begins erupting

Aviation authorities in Iceland have closed airspace around the Bardarbunga volcano after it began erupting beneath the glacier.

The country’s airports remain open. The aviation warning code has been raised to red, the highest level, which signals a significant emission of ash is likely.

If the ice melts, there is a risk of flooding in the area north of the glacier.

The Bardarbunga is part of a large system of volcanoes in the centre of Iceland covered by a 500-metre thick ice cap.

Ash from the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in 2010 shut down much of Europe’s airspace for six days, leaving more than 10 million people stranded and and costing 1.3 billion euros