Status: 11/21/2021 8:27 a.m.
The volcano has been spitting lava and ash on La Palma for a good two months. The damage already amounts to around 700 million euros. Now air traffic on the island had to be stopped again.
The eruption of the volcano on La Palma, which has lasted for two months, has again paralyzed air traffic on the Canary Island. According to an airport spokesman, all 20 flights had to be canceled on Saturday because of the volcanic ash.
The operating company Aena announced that cleaning work must be carried out. Operations should be resumed as soon as possible.
Around 700 million euros in damage
The Cumbre Vieja is 15 kilometers west of the airport. The volcano erupted on September 19th for the first time in 50 years. Huge amounts of lava flowed towards the sea and destroyed over 1000 hectares of land and around 2600 buildings. Around 7,000 people had to leave their homes because of the natural disaster. The authorities estimated the provisional damage on Friday at up to 700 million euros.
During his visit on Friday and Saturday on La Palma, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced new help for the economy and the infrastructure of the island. Tourism and the cultivation of bananas are some of the most important industries on the island, home to around 85,000 people.