La Palma volcano sends lava flow to ocean, residents lock down

SANTA CRUZ DE LA PALMA, LA Palma: Authorities on the Spanish island of La Palma have ordered residents of three coastal towns to remain indoors, following a new flow of lava that has reached the ocean, coming from the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

A third stream of lava from the volcano, which has been erupting for two months, reached the water around midday, a few kilometres north of where two previous flows hit the sea, sending thick clouds of gases into the air.

In drone footage taken by the local council, white clouds rose from the water as red hot molten rock slid into the Atlantic Ocean.

As strong winds blew the cloud back inland, residents in Tazacorte, San Borondon and parts of El Cardon were told to stay inside, with doors and windows closed.

Soldiers from the Military Emergency Unit were deployed to measure air quality in the area.

Miguel Angel Morcuende, technical director of the Pevolca eruption response committee, said due to the poor weather conditions, the airport was closed and is likely to remain shutdown for up to 48 hours.

Due to high concentrations of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide in the air, residents in the capital, Santa Cruz, were also advised to wear masks for the first time since the eruption began, he added.

The Copernicus disaster monitoring program has reported that since 19th September, lava flows have damaged or destroyed some 2,650 buildings, forcing the evacuation of thousands from their homes.