The Lagarfljót Worm
An Icelandic lake has been home to a legendary serpent since medieval times. In 2012, a farmer filmed something swimming in it, and a local committee ruled the video real.
What was reported
Lagarfljót is a long, narrow lake in east Iceland. A creature living in it, the Lagarfljót worm, is mentioned in Icelandic annals from the 14th century, and sightings have been reported for centuries, describing a long, humped serpent.
In February 2012, farmer Hjörtur Kjerúlf filmed a long, snake-like shape moving through the water near his home. In 2014, a 13-member 'truth committee' set up by the local council narrowly concluded that the video was genuine.
Explanations offered
Sceptics say the video shows an inanimate object, such as a frozen fishing net or a piece of fabric caught in the current, moving in the river's flow. The lake is glacial and murky, which makes it hard to see what lies beneath the surface.
- When
- Reported since the 1300s; filmed in 2012
- Where
- Lagarfljót, East Iceland
- Witnesses
- Residents, and a farmer's video
- Status
- Disputed
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