Riots and depression in Iceland

Now, seriously, if Iceland is descending into chaos...

Iceland's ruling coalition collapsed today under the pressures of the country's financial meltdown, the first government to fall as a direct result of the global economic crisis

Prime Minister Geir Haarde said he would hand in his resignation to President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson after talks to save his government failed.

Iceland's troubles did reveal themselves during last week's tumultuous events. Peaceful demonstrations began in Reykjavik's main square, outside the Althing (parliament) building, had begun in October immediately after the crash. Last week they erupted in the worst riots since it became a founding member of Nato in 1949. Rocks were hurled at police and the Althing. Its windows were smashed and the building set alight. Over 130 protesters received treatment after police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, and one police officer was seriously injured.

On Friday morning, human rights campaigner and protest organiser Hordur Torfason told a chilling anecdote to illustrate the desperation many Icelanders are feeling. He had received a phone call from a man who said that four generations of his family had lost everything. "He wanted me to help them build a gallows in front of the parliament building," says Torfason. "I asked him if this was to have some symbolic significance. 'No,' came the answer. 'A member of my family wants to hang himself in public.'"

"I said I would help them but not in this way," says Torfason. "But he killed himself two days ago."

Red Cross employees and volunteers are working overtime to prepare for depression and desperation. The relief agency has expanded and is setting up support groups and activities for the unemployed. "One of the effects of long-term unemployment is depression," says the agency's Thor Gislason.

Read more at the Independent.co.uk.