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| Volcanic activity intensified on Friday resulting in more evacuations. (Photo by= EPA) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] CANARY ISLAND: Firefighters on the Spanish Island of La Palma have retreated due to intensifying volcanic explosions. The Cumbre Vieja volcano started erupting on Sunday with thousands evacuated and more than 350 homes destroyed, BBC reported. On Friday, authorities in three more towns told residents to evacuate. A thick plume of smoke now extends four kilometres (2.4 miles) into the air with a number of flights in and out of the airport cancelled. No fatalities have been reported.
Volcanic activity increased on Friday and Spanish media is reporting that a new vent has opened up, causing lava to flow. A social media post from the La Palma fire service said firefighters have "withdrawn from the area due to the intensification of explosive phenomena". The firefighters had been conducting preventative work in Todoque neighbourhood. Some 1,000 people in Tajuya, Tacande de Abajo and Tacande de Arriba were told to evacuate on Friday due to the intensifying volcanic activity.
Local flight operator Binter said it had cancelled all flights to La Palma due to the eruption, with Spanish airline Iberia also halting operations in the area. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Friday that the cabinet would next week declare the island a "catastrophe zone".
