Volcano erupts on Spain’s La Palma island, forces evacuation 

Volcano has erupted on the La Palma island of Spain’s Canary Islands, and over 5,000 to 10,000 people are being evacuated.

Regional authorities confirmed that the evacuations have begun in the wake of the eruption, which began at 3:12 p.m. local time on the Cumbre Viejo volcano on Sunday.

“The eruption came after a week in which over 20,000 earthquakes were measured on the La Palma island, the second youngest of the Canary Islands.”

However, no casualties have been reported, several properties as well as woodland and pasture have been destroyed by the lava flow which is advancing towards the sea on the southwest coast of the island.

The authorities began evacuating an estimated 5,000 people from the municipalities of El Paso, Tazacorte and Los Llanos de Aridane, in accordance with plans set up in the framework of the Canary Island Volcano Emergency Plan.

Around 40 people with reduced mobility had previously been evacuated and farm animals have also been moved from the area, while schools in the area will be closed on Monday and the lava flow has cut the AP 212 road and affected another four, which have been closed to traffic.

“The residents have been advised to remain indoors, to close doors and windows to take care washing fruit and vegetables to avoid being affected by volcanic ash.”

Experts have predicted that the new eruption will continue for several days, but could last for weeks.

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Kamila/Xinhua