Tourists visiting Iceland’s Blue Lagoon had to be evacuated after a nearby volcano erupted on Saturday night.

It’s the fourth time the volcano, on the Reykjanes peninsula, has erupted in just three months.

A state of emergency has been declared in the town of Grindavik, from where 4,000 residents have been evacuated.

The eruption is just south of the capital, Reykjavik, but the city is unaffected and flights to the international airport Keflavik are continuing as normal.

In an update to its travel advice for Iceland, the Foreign Office said: “All roads to Grindavik and the surrounding area are closed and you should stay away from this area. 

“Keflavik International Airport and the road to it is unaffected and operating normally. 

“The capital city, Reykjavik, and the rest of Iceland is not impacted by the eruptions. 

“The likelihood of further eruptions in this location remains high. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities’ advice on travel to the area.”

The Blue Lagoon remains closed. A message on its website says: “Due to a volcanic eruption that commenced at Sundhnúkagígar on March 16, we have evacuated and temporarily closed all our operational units. 

“Despite these recent events, all our facilities remain in good condition and are surrounded by protective barriers designed to safeguard Blue Lagoon’s vital infrastructure against potential lava flows.

“We will remain closed through Tuesday, March 19.” 

Image shows February 2024 eruption, as seen from Reykjavik