Volcano Eruption on Canary Islands: Thousands Evacuated, Homes Burning and Tragedy for Residents

According to experts, the eruption may last several weeks or even months.

About 5,000 residents of La Palma, part of the Canary Islands archipelago, have been forced to leave their homes. The Cumbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt on the island. 

Earlier, Spain's National Geographic Institute recorded a rise in seismic activity on the island, with more than 25,000 earthquakes over the course of a week. The strongest tremor (4.2 on the Richter scale) was recorded on Sunday. 

On Sunday, a volcanic eruption began, and on Monday a lava flow destroying everything in its path reached homes. Local officials said about 100 houses had been destroyed. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez flew to La Palma. He said the military and the Civil Guard are stopping new fires and putting out blazes. The mayor of El Paso said the lava leaves nothing in its path. According to him, local residents will not be able to return home any time soon. 

There is no information about deaths. The government ordered the evacuation of four small settlements. Temporary shelters were set up for them in safe areas. The president of the Canary Islands said that people will no longer need to be evacuated going forward. 

Local airline Binter stopped flights as early as Sunday, but Spain's civil aviation authority said the airspace above the island is open. About 500 tourists were evacuated from La Palma. At the same time, Spain's tourism minister urged people not to leave the island: “The island is open. If the elements reach your hotel, we will find you a new one. Take the opportunity to enjoy nature.” 

La Palma is an island of volcanic origin, with a number of volcanoes in its central part. The last large-scale eruption here was in 1971, when the Teneguía volcano awoke. 

Local residents say they periodically feel ground vibrations, and sometimes the volcano makes a loud sound, “as if 20 fighter jets took off at the same time.” 

The sudden eruption frightened the residents of La Palma. According to them, the sight is fascinating but at the same time alarming. For journalists it is something special, but for residents it is a tragedy, since many have lost their homes, and no one expected this to happen. 

A local woman said: “If there is a fire, at least the stone remains and the buildings can be restored. But the houses melt from the lava like butter, and only a black lump of earth is left.” The molten lava is moving toward the sea at a speed of 0.7 km/h. According to experts, the eruption may last several weeks or even months.