Status: 09/22/2021 4:18 a.m.
More than 6000 people had to leave their houses and apartments on La Palma because of the volcanic eruption. Many were taken to barracks or other emergency shelters – some also spend the night in mobile homes.
From a small hill, Adonay looks over at the lava field and the raging volcano, from which the glowing rock is boiling out. A few hundred meters more, then the smoking crowd pushes over a church that is dedicated to Pope Pius the tithe. The market square and Adonay’s house are not far away. The young man doesn’t mince his words, Pope or not: “It looks shitty,” he says. “We have been evacuated because the lava will take all of this, the experts say.”
Like around 200 houses that she has already taken over the past few days. Adonay is lucky in misfortune – his parents have a mobile home in which he lives for the first time. Many others had to go to the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, where a barracks for volcano refugees has been set up. A few sports facilities in communities outside the danger zone are also emergency shelters.
Dramatic consequences for agriculture
Antoni lets a drone rise. He wants to film where the lava flows. But not because there are great videos – Antoni wants to help with his YouTube channel.
People should see exactly where the lava is and what damage is imminent. And it’s not just about houses, it’s also about the consequences for agriculture.
Even if plantations are not buried under the lava – the liquid rock has already cut water and electricity lines. Because of this, Antoni himself can no longer water his bananas. No insurance will pay for the crop failure.
More than 6000 people had to leave their homes from La Palma so far – some forever.
Image: AP
Damage to the houses – if you can call the disappearance of a house under 10 meters of lava ceiling damage – is covered by building and household contents insurance. Those who are not insured can only hope for government help. Financial aid for the victims could also come from the EU.
“We knew we were in the danger zone”
Edwin and his partner still hope that their house will stand. “It’s on the edge of the volcanic river and we have hope that it will stop. But still we have compassion for the others who have lost everything.” The two have been living in the Canary Islands for a long time, formerly on Tenerife, and for half a year on La Palma. Because it’s quieter here. Unless a volcano is erupting.
How are market vendors here, in Los Llanos, coming home at three o’clock, eating, and suddenly there is a huge bang behind us, our neighbor is screaming and raging, he has a wife and children, and then we looked out and saw the mountain explode is. We knew we were in the danger zone and within ten minutes we had our motorhome, which we now live in, and our car, and were gone.
They don’t know if and when they can go back – and the volcanologists don’t give the all-clear, although the lava has flown slowly in the end. It could be that the volcano is just taking a break, they say.
After a volcanic eruption on La Palma, ever greater damage is apparent
Oliver Roth, ARD Madrid, September 21, 2021 5:14 p.m.