News

Breaking of ice is not allowed

Several fjords on Svalbard are covered in ice this year. Throughout winter and spring, many species depend on sea ice for survival. The ringed seal births its pups in snow caves on the ice, and the ice is an important habitat and hunting area for polar bears. The breaking of ice is considered a deterioration of the natural environment and is not allowed.

Published 2/24/2020

They lost their lives on the Fridtjov glacier

It was the German citizens Sascha Brandt (39) and Magdalena Katarina Zakrzewski (40) who lost their lives in the avalanche on the Fridtjov glacier on Svalbard on Thursday 20 February. The relatives have been notified.

Published 2/21/2020

Two people declared dead in avalanche

Two German citizens have been declared dead after an avalanche on Fridtjovbreen. They were hit by the avalanche while on a trip with the Russian tourist company Arctic Travel Company Grumant earlier today. The guided group consisted of two guides and five foreign tourists.

Published 2/20/2020

Missing on Fridtjovbreen

At 14:50 this afternoon, the Governor was notified that two people are reported missing in the area around Fridtjovbreen. The missing persons were part of a guided group travelling with a Russian tourist company. The sequence of events is currently unclear. The Governor has dispatched a helicopter with rescue personnel and an avalanche dog.

Published 2/20/2020

Invitation to Sysselmannens time

The Governor would like to invite all guides and expedition leaders in Longyearbyen to the annual "Sysselmannens time". The event will be held in Møysalen at UNIS on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 19.00 hrs.

Published 1/23/2020

Simplified notification and processing of travel plans for residents

Local residents who are planning one or more trips during the winter or summer season to the areas which require notification, may now give notice of their tentative tour plans for the season. This change is put into effect in order to ease the notification and case processing for local residents.

Published 1/23/2020