The evacuation comes after the region was shaken by hundreds of small earthquakes every day for more than two weeks as scientists monitor a buildup of magma some 5 kilometres underground,
Euronews reports.
Residents of a small Icelandic town close to a volcano that is expected to erupt in the coming days or weeks were given just five minutes to return to their homes to collect valuables on Monday.
Grindavik was evacuated on Saturday after experts warned recent seismic activity suggested an eruption was imminent.
The town of 3,400 is on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 50 kilometres southwest of the capital, Reykjavik.
Authorities warned that residents were only allowed to be inside the town during daylight hours and said just one person per household was allowed to return. The police also insisted returnees just collect important items such as pets, medicines, passports and important documents.
“At this stage, it is not possible to determine exactly whether and where magma might reach the surface,” the Meteorological Office said.
"You are so confused when you go in,” said Solveig Thorbergsdottir.
“You only have five minutes, but I stretched it to 15 and I just saved what I saw around. Photos of the grandchildren. Photos of myself when I was young. My best clothes, my wedding dress.”
The residents were accompanied by police officers, there to ensure they didn’t stay too long.
