GULLFOSS, Iceland — Authorities are investigating a reported assault that occurred at the famed Gullfoss waterfall, where a female tour guide was attacked by a male tourist last Tuesday. The guide, who works for Bus Travel Iceland, expressed her dismay over the lack of immediate support from other witnesses and the police following the incident.
“I am outraged and saddened that such an aggressive act could happen and go unaddressed,” she shared on social media. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous for her safety, described the assailant as dangerous and expressed frustration that he had escaped accountability after the attack.
According to the South Iceland Police, they did not receive a report of the incident until witnesses had already dispersed, which delayed their response. The victim is expected to file a formal complaint soon as the police continue to investigate the incident.
Her colleague, Daniel Leeb, brought attention to her situation online, indicating that the tour guide felt abandoned by local authorities. In her post, she expressed disappointment in the apparent lack of assistance, stating, “I am frustrated that I have not received any help in this country, possibly due to being a foreigner or simply for being a woman.”
The confrontation reportedly escalated over a parking dispute. The male tourist parked his camper van in a designated bus space, prompting the guide to ask him to move. He allegedly retorted that he paid high taxes on his vehicle, which entitled him to park wherever he chose. The situation escalated when he allegedly grabbed her leg and forcibly removed her from the bus as she attempted to photograph his vehicle.
As chaos unfolded, the guide called out for help, but bystanders, including other tour guides, chose not to intervene. One guide did approach but simply told her to calm down, further frustrating the victim. “To all those who stood by and did nothing, shame on you. I hope you never have to witness a loved one being attacked and stand idly by,” she wrote in her emotional post.
Following the incident, she attempted to seek assistance from the police. After calling emergency services, she was directed to pursue assistance at a hospital or file a report at the police station. Once at the Reykjavík station, she learned she needed to report in Selfoss, as the incident fell within that jurisdiction. There, she was instructed to fill out an online form to make an appointment, yet has received no follow-up from authorities.
Police supervisor Garðar Már Garðarsson stated that officer deployment protocols typically involve referrals to online complaint systems for resolved incidents. He acknowledged that the woman would be contacted soon regarding her report.
The victim fears that her attacker may have already left Iceland, possibly using the Norröna ferry to depart the country. Medical evaluations confirmed she sustained bruises, sprains, and other injuries from the assault.
“This could have happened to anyone — a visitor without self-defense experience might not have fared as well,” she lamented. Leeb added that the attacker’s current whereabouts remain uncertain but emphasized the urgency to address such incidents to ensure visitor safety in Iceland.