Lava-river shift sends islanders fleeing
LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE, Canary Islands — Hundreds of people in Spain’s Canary Islands feared for their homes and property Wednesday as a new river of lava from an erupting volcano threatened another neighborhood on the island of La Palma.
Island authorities ordered the evacuation of around 800 people from the coastal town of Los Llanos de Aridane on Tuesday after the lava took a new course on its way to the Atlantic Ocean and put their homes in a probable path of destruction. It was the first mass exit since around 6,000 people were told to leave immediately after the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Sept. 19.
Volcanologists found that a new lava flow north of the main river of molten rock had branched off and was heading toward an inhabited area outside the previous evacuation zone.
Residents of the La Laguna neighborhood had only a few hours to gather up their most precious belongings and leave. Volunteers helped school employees salvage educational materials, while others loaded up cars and trucks with furniture.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez traveled to the island Wednesday, his fourth visit since the initial eruption. Sanchez’s government has pledged $247 million to help rebuild homes, farms and businesses in the affected area.
“Unfortunately, the news we have from the scientific committee is that the volcano’s activity is not decreasing, so a reduction in its activity is not foreseeable in the coming days,” Sanchez said. “I know it is tough after so many days and nights of suffering, but I ask you to remain patient, because we cannot do anything until the volcano stops.”