Canary Islands: 3,000 people trapped by new lava spill into the sea | Cumbre Vega erupted two months ago

“In anticipation of possible emissions of gases harmful to health”. With this message, the Volcanic Emergency Plan for the Canary Islands (Pivolca) On Monday I ordered a new confinement on the Spanish island of La Palma due to a new lava leak into the seaIt is the third to occur since the Cumbre Vega volcano erupted two months ago.

Lava flows only affected the west of the island, but Volcanic ash forced the suspension of operations at Santa Cruz de la Palma airport, the capital of the island, which is located on the eastern side.

The confinement order was for residents living in the cities of San Borondon, Tazacorte, El Cardón and Camino los Palomares, and It will affect about 3,000 people, Miguel Angel Morquinde, Pivolca’s technical director, said at a press conference. News of the new lava “flow” came when Cumbre Vieja erupted 64 days ago, beginning its descending activity.

Regional airline Binter, the main air link with neighboring islands, has announced the cancellation of “all flights to and from #La Palma this Monday”. On Sunday, the airport was already operating intermittently, forcing many tourists who visit the island to witness the eruption of the volcano to resort to the ferries connecting La Palma to Tenerife.

Morquende explained that “for the first time throughout the emergency”, residents of Santa Cruz de la Palma were asked Protect themselves with FFP2 masks from sulfur dioxide and other harmful airborne particles from the eruption.. “Those with respiratory or heart problems should stay at home, and completely limit their departure,” the official advised.

The volcano has entered its third month of eruption with no end in sight, affecting nearly 1,500 buildings so far, including nearly 1,100 homes, according to land registry data. According to the latest data from the European Geographical Measurement System Copernicus, the lava covered 1065 hectares.