- Title: WRAP: La Palma lava reaches sea, authorities testing for toxic gas
- Date: 29th September 2021
- Summary: LA PALMA, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PLUMES OF SMOKE RISING FROM THE OCEAN AS LAVA STREAM ENTERS OCEAN SMOKE NEAR HOUSES LAVA FLOWING INTO THE SEA (MUTE) VARIOUS OF TIMELAPSE OF LAVA FROM VOLCANO REACHING OCEAN AND SMOKE RISING (MUTE / NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF TIMELAPSE OF LAVA FROM VOLCANO REACHING OCEAN AND SMOKE RISING
- Embargoed: 13th October 2021 15:18
- Keywords: Canary Islands Cumbre Vieja La Palma Spain eruption lava volcano
- Location: LA PALMA, SPAIN
- City: LA PALMA, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Europe,Earthquakes/Volcanoes/Tsunami
- Reuters ID: LVA007EWRWHMV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano on Spain's La Palma island coursed into the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday (September 29), releasing plumes of steam which could unleash toxic gas.
Teams from the Military Emergency Unit tested the air quality on Wednesday, and so far authorities said the air inland had not been contaminated.
The cascade of lava hit the sea for the first time late on Tuesday (September 28), continuing into Wednesday.
Thousands of people have been evacuated since an eruption in the Canary Islands archipelago began 10 days ago. Three coastal villages had been locked down since Monday in anticipation of the lava reaching the sea and potentially liberating harmful gases.
"We are going to maintain the measures adopted so far for the evacuation of the population, and we are keeping the measures linked to the confinement of the neighbourhoods of San Borondon, Marina Alta, Marina Baja and La Condesa," said Volcano Response Committee official, Ruben Fernandez Gonzalez at a news conference
Residents on the western coast had been told to seal doors and windows with tape and wet towels. That recommendation was not yet lifted, but authorities said measurements showed the air was so far still safe to breathe.
Since the eruption began on Sept. 19, lava has engulfed nearly 530 houses, as well as 1,200 land plots, mostly banana plantations. Spain classified La Palma as a disaster zone on Tuesday, a move that will trigger financial support for the island.
(Production: Natasa Bansagi, Amy Pollock) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
