250 asylum seekers in Iceland this year

New facilities are soon to be opened in Greater Reykjavik to deal with the considerable increase in asylum applications to Iceland.

So far this year, 94 individuals have applied for asylum in Iceland, according to Director-General of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration, Kristín Völundardóttir. Up to 250 applications are expected to arrive in total this year.

Those seeking asylum so far this here come from all over the world, but mostly from Albania, says Völundardóttir.

To cope with these rising numbers, new accommodation will be soon be opened in Reykjavik and further accommodation and a reception centre will be opened in Hafnarfjörður.

“Substantial security measures will be put in place at the reception centre in Hafnarfjörður,” says Völundardóttir. “Asylum seekers and their neighbours will be afforded the highest levels of security.”

Up to 250 asylum applications are expected this year, as compared to a total of 175 in 2014.