One dead and two missing are the tragic toll from the collapse of an ice cave in Iceland.

The accident according to the Associated Press happened yesterday when a group of tourists were visiting the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in southern Iceland.

In a statement posted on social media, local police say first responders received a call just before 3pm on Sunday as a group of about 25 foreign tourists of various nationalities were exploring ice caves when four people were struck by ice.

Two people were seriously injured, one died of his injuries at the scene of the crash, another was airlifted to a hospital in the capital and is reportedly in a stable condition.

A large number of rescuers worked throughout the afternoon and into the evening searching for the two missing persons. The operation was called off after dark due to dangerous conditions, but would continue, police said.

Icelandic public broadcaster RUV reported that efforts to transport equipment and personnel up to the glacier had proved difficult because of the rough terrain, and cutting of the ice was mostly done by hand and with chainsaws.

Local news site Visir reported that the group was on an organized tour of ice cave and was accompanied by a guide, but most people were outside the cave when it collapsed. The ice cave is a popular destination for tourists.

The collapse is likely unrelated to a volcanic eruption in southeastern Iceland on Friday, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) away from the glacier.