After another eruption of the volcano Cumbre Vieja on La Palma, all flights to and from the Canary Island were canceled on Friday.
The Spanish airport operator Aena announced that the total of seven flights operated by the airlines Binter, Canaryfly and Iberia have been canceled.
These were the first canceled flights since the Cumbre Vieja erupted on Sunday for the first time in 50 years.
On Friday, the volcano spat a thick cloud of black ash into the air when it erupted repeatedly. It was seen on television that people near the volcano, such as firefighters, volunteers and journalists, wore goggles and mouth and nose protection to protect themselves from the ashes. According to the Canarian volcano research institute Involcan, the eruptions can last between three and twelve weeks. The authorities ordered further evacuations for parts of El Paso. Due to the “current eruptive phase” there is an “increased risk for the population”, announced the regional government.
Meanwhile, Spain wants to declare the Canary Island, which has been affected by a volcanic eruption, a disaster area and adopt an extensive reconstruction plan.
The Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Friday on La Palma.
More than 6,000 people had previously had to leave their homes.
The Canary Island has around 83,000 inhabitants.
Hundreds of houses and large areas of land were destroyed by the lava.
The regional authorities estimate the damage to be well over 400 million euros.
Many of those evacuated so far have lost all their belongings.
They should be helped with an emergency program for securing a livelihood.
In addition, the regional government announced the purchase and construction of new apartments.
There were still no injuries.
The Canaries, which also include the popular holiday islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote, are of volcanic origin.
The last eruption of the Cumbre Vieja occurred in 1971.
It only erupted twice in the 20th century: in 1971 and previously in 1949. Otherwise it was considered a dormant volcano.
The last time there was a volcanic eruption on the seabed off the island of El Hierro in the region.