Thousands evacuated after La Palma Volcano erupts

Over 5,000 people have been evacuated from their homes follwoing on from yesterdays volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma.

After a week of seismic activty and tens of thousands of earth tremors, the eruption was first reported yesterday afternoon shortly after 3pm local time on the Cumbre Vieja volcano chain.

Social media posts shortly after 3.40 local time on Sunday showed videos of smoke rising from an eruption point on the island, after over a week of quakes.

The evacuation of four villages including El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane were ordered on Sunday evening, over concerns of lava flows.

Last night prime minister Pedro Sanchez arrived on the island to assist with local emergency co-ordination efforts.

Schools in affected areas across the island, as well as roads in affected areas are closed, with some flights diverting away from the island – however the airport currently remains open.

Shelters on La Palma have been opened for those who are in need of them, and non-essential emergency treatments have been suspended on La Palma to enable hospitals to operate without additional pressure.

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