As of: 09/24/2021 9:26 p.m.
The volcano Cumbre Vieja on La Palma is still active and spits thick clouds with black ash for kilometers into the air. Now all flights to and from the island that is to be declared a disaster area have been canceled.
After another eruption of the volcano Cumbre Vieja on La Palma, all flights to and from the Canary Island have been canceled. The Spanish airport operator Aena announced that the seven flights operated by the airlines Binter, Canaryfly and Iberia had been canceled. These were the first canceled flights since the Cumbre Vieja erupted on Sunday for the first time in 50 years.
When the volcano erupted again, it emitted a thick cloud of black ash that rose up to six kilometers in height. Loud explosions could be heard and a new crack opened up from which molten rock emerged.
More evacuations
The emergency services ordered the evacuation of numerous people from three villages. Due to the “current eruptive phase” there is an “increased risk for the population”, announced the regional government. Emergency forces withdrew from the area as a precaution. The inhabitants of another village were only allowed to stay indoors.
A column of smoke and pyroclastic material that the volcano spits out can be seen from the Todoque district in Los Llanos de Aridane on the Canary Island of La Palma.
Image: AFP
The national geographic institute announced that the main lava flow towards the sea has slowed and is only advancing one meter per hour. According to the EU Earth Observation Program, the lava has now destroyed almost 400 buildings in the western part of the island, which is inhabited by almost 85,000 people. They spread over 180 hectares and blocked 14 kilometers of the roads. Since the outbreak began, 7,000 people have had to move to safety and leave their homes. The regional authorities estimate the damage to be well over 400 million euros.
La Palma becomes a disaster area
Spain wants to declare the Canary Island of La Palma, which is affected by a volcanic eruption, to be a disaster area and adopt an extensive reconstruction plan. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a package of measures during a visit to La Palma to help the island up again and “rebuild livelihoods”. The Spanish government will provide help to rebuild houses and public infrastructure such as roads, schools and irrigation systems. In addition, the island’s tourism industry should be supported, said Sánchez.
According to the Canarian volcano research institute Involcan, the eruptions can last between three and twelve weeks. The last eruption of the Cumbre Vieja occurred in 1971. In fact, it only erupted twice in the 20th century: in 1971 and previously in 1949. Otherwise it was considered a dormant volcano.