Canary volcanic eruption: firefighters try to divert lava
In the Canaries, on the island of La Palma (Spain), lava flows from the Cumbre Vieja volcano destroyed 320 buildings according to the latest estimates. Lava continues to slide towards the ocean. Its contact with water can cause dangerous sprays and fumes.
In the Canary Islands, on the island of Palma (Spain), lava flows from the Cumbre Vieja volcano destroyed 320 buildings according to the latest estimates. Lava keeps sliding towards the ocean. Its contact with water can cause dangerous sprays and fumes.
The lava flow reached the village of Todoque in the Canary Islands (Spain) and took everything in its path on Wednesday 22 September. A villager testifies before the cameras of France Télévisions. From his house, there is only one concrete block stuck in the volcanic rocks. “It’s a disaster, there’s nothing to be done“, confides.
The volcano is in an explosive eruption phase
Firefighters, however, are trying something. Throughout the night, with excavators and concrete walls, they tried to divert the lava’s course to prevent it from reaching the sea, which would cause the emanation of toxic gases. Now the volcano is in an explosive eruption phase. The flow is still two kilometers from the sea, but firefighters admit its helplessness. “Diverting lava is difficult. As the flow progresses, the height of the magma is different“, explains a firefighter deployed on site.
