Hundreds evacuated as red-hot lava threatens homes in Spain's La Palma
Gulf Times
The Cumbre Vieja volcano spews lava and smoke as it continues to erupt on the Canary Island of La Palma, as seen from Tacande, Spain, October 12, 2021.
Over 700 residents were ordered to abandon their homes on Tuesday on the Spanish island of La Palma as red-hot lava advanced towards their neighbourhood.
As the river of molten magma descended from the Cumbre Vieja volcano in the northeast of the Canary Island, authorities ordered between 700 and 800 inhabitants of La Laguna to leave home with their belongings and pets, according to the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca).
"We want to pick up documents and other things because our whole life is in that house and we cannot collect over 30 years in five minutes," Enrique, 50, a Spanish home-owner, told Reuters.
"We have been obliged to evacuate a new area. The lava is advancing slowly. People should have time to take their documents, their personal items and anything of value," said Miguel Angel Morcuende, technical director of Pevolca.
