Lava from erupting volcano destroys homes in Canary Islands

Lava from erupting volcano destroys homes in Canary Islands

© APA | Lava from erupting volcano destroys homes in Canary Islands

# 20 September 2021 14:15 (UTC +04:00)

A volcano eruption on La Palma in the Spanish Canary Islands has destroyed houses and forced about 5,000 residents to evacuate.

Lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano has been pouring downhill since Sunday's eruption, devastating everything in its path.

Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said at least 20 houses had been buried in one village.

The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez flew to La Palma on Sunday to oversee rescue efforts.

Mr Sanchez said authorities are closely monitoring fires that may start from the burning lava. The military and civil guard has been deployed to help.

"The lava left absolutely nothing in its path," Mr Rodriguez told Spanish broadcaster TVE, adding that residents would not be returning home for a while.

No casualties have so far been reported. There were mandatory evacuation orders for four villages, including El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane, and temporary shelters were set up.

Further evacuations are unlikely to be necessary, Canary Islands President Angel Victor Torres said on Monday.

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