LA PALMA, Spain, Sept.28 (Reuters) – Glowing lava from a volcano that devastated the Spanish island of La Palma reached the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday evening, nine days after it started rolling down the mountain, destroying buildings and destroying crops.

Large clouds of white vapor have risen from the Playa Nueva area as lava contacts the ocean, according to Reuters images. Photographs shared on social media showed lava accumulating near a cliff.

Authorities have said lava flowing into the sea could set off explosions and clouds of poisonous gas, and Canary Islands emergency services have urged people outside to immediately find a safe place to stay. take shelter. No injuries were reported. Read more

“When the lava reaches the sea, containment must be strictly observed,” Miguel Angel Morcuende, director of the Pevolca intervention committee, said earlier Tuesday.

Lava has been flowing from the western flank of the Cumbre Vieja volcano towards the sea since September 19, destroying nearly 600 houses and banana plantations in La Palma, neighboring Tenerife in the Canary Islands archipelago off the North African coast.

Thousands of people were evacuated and three coastal villages were locked down on Monday in anticipation of meeting lava in the Atlantic Ocean.

Spain classified La Palma as a disaster area on Tuesday, a move that will trigger financial support for the island.

The government announced a first 10.5 million euros ($ 12.3 million) package, which includes around 5 million euros to buy houses, the rest to acquire essential furniture and household items, has said government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez.

A resident who was evacuated last week from the village of Tacande de Arriba was delighted to find his house still standing and his pet cats unharmed.

“It’s a good feeling, a fantastic feeling,” said Gert Waegerle, 75, who fled the advancing lava with his five turtles on Friday but had to leave the cats behind.

“I’m super happy because in the end everything went well.”

($ 1 = 0.85 euro)

Reporting by Miguel Pereira, Marco Trujillo, Jon Nazca, Nacho Doce and Borja Suarez in La Palma and Emma Pinedo and Inti Landauro in Madrid; Written by Nathan Allen and Catarina Demony; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Angus MacSwan, Karishma Singh and Jane Wardell

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