About 3,000 residents of the Spanish island of La Palma have to stay indoors. They were notified after lava that erupted from the volcano on the island partially destroyed a cement factory. Local authorities warn that toxic gases may be released during this process.
“Part of a cement factory burned down,” said Miguel Angel Morquinde, director of the emergency cell before the explosion. “As a result, and in order to be able to analyze whether the air quality allows for normalcy, we have decided to impose a closure.”
Between 2,500 and 3,000 people are affected. They live in areas close to the plant in the west of the island. A lava flow from the Cumbre Vieja volcano has reached the plant. The volcano has been erupting since September 19.
There were no reports of deaths or injuries in the eruption of the volcano, but more than 6000 people have already been evacuated. Some of them lost all their possessions due to lava flows, which have already destroyed nearly 600 hectares and more than 1,200 buildings.
• The volcanic eruption is not a disaster for marine life, on the contrary
Since the affected area has already been evacuated, there is no need to take anyone to safety. The volcano emitted an ash cloud up to three and a half kilometers high. Small and medium-sized tremors also regularly rock the south of the island: the strongest was a 4.1-magnitude earthquake.
Cumbre Vieja erupted nearly three weeks ago, on September 19, for the first time in 50 years. The escaping lava has since destroyed about 1,150 buildings. About 6000 people had to leave their homes.
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