Lava spread raises fear of more damage

The advance of lava from a volcanic eruption in Spain’s Canary Islands has slowed significantly, raising doubts about whether it will fan out across the land and destroy more homes instead of flowing into the sea.

A giant river of lava slowed to 13ft per hour after reaching a plain on Wednesday. On Monday, a day after the eruption on the island of La Palma, it was moving at 2,300ft per hour.

As it slowed, the lava grew thicker. In places, it rose up to 50ft high, authorities said. The lava now covers 410 acres and has swallowed around 350 homes.

The lava’s slowing pace bought time for more residents of towns in its path to grab belongings, with the Guardia Civil police force escorting them to their homes in Todoque, close to the coast, yesterday morning.

The Guardia Civil said seismic activity in the area, which surged before the eruption and has remained strong, has stabilised.

Molten lava, ash and smoke continued to pour from the volcano’s mouth, shooting up to nearly 14,000ft-high, the Canary Islands Volcanology Institute said. That raised concerns about whether airspace above the island could remain open.

ENAIRE, which manages Spain’s airspace, said two areas above the affected area are being declared nofly zones to allow

emergency services to operate freely. Some flights into and out of La Palma were delayed early yesterday.

Authorities have not reported any casualties, although damage to property, infrastructure and farmland is expected to be significant.

Scientists were monitoring the volcano

and had warned of a possible eruption. That allowed almost 7,000 people to be evacuated.

Officials had initially expressed fears about what would happen when the lava reached the Atlantic Ocean. The lava could cause explosions, trigger landslides and produce clouds of toxic gas when it hits the ocean, experts say.

WORRY: The lava was initially expected to roll into the sea but has slowed its pace.