Spain will help rebuild La Palma, where a volcanic eruption destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced thousands to flee their homes, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

On his third visit to La Palma – one of the Atlantic Canary Islands – since the eruption began on September 19, Sanchez said the government would approve 206 million euros (A $ 329 million) in funding for help this week.

“Next Tuesday the cabinet will approve a very powerful package (to help in) areas such as rebuilding infrastructure, water supply, employment, agriculture, tourism and social benefits,” he said. he declared at a press conference.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano destroyed more than 900 buildings.

About 6,000 people have been displaced from their homes on the island out of a population of 83,000.

“We are facing a stress test (…) because we don’t know when the volcano eruption will end,” Sanchez said.

“What residents need to know is that when this ends, the Spanish government will be there to tackle the enormous task of rebuilding La Palma.”

On Sunday, the volcano spat incandescent lava and thick clouds of black smoke for the 15th day in a row.

“The explosive activity has intensified in the last few hours,” the Canary Islands Institute of Volcanology, Involcan, said in a tweet on Sunday afternoon.

Spain’s National Geographical Institute said it recorded nine earthquakes around the eruption overnight, the strongest of which was magnitude 3.5.

The financial package is the second step of a plan approved last week.

In a first step, the government announces aid of 10.5 million euros for immediate assistance to people who have lost their housing.

Sanchez also encouraged tourists who were planning to visit La Palma not to be put off.

Tourism is the main industry in the Canary Islands.

“I would like to let tourists know that it is a safe place, they can come and enjoy the island,” he said.

Associated Australian Press