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An ash cloud prevented flights to and from the Spanish island of La Palma on Sunday as molten rock continued to be thrown high into the air by an erupting volcano. No flights arrived or departed from the airport, although rescuers cleaned up the ashes from the runway. Islanders faced a mixed picture of good news and bad news, with some evacuees allowed to return home amid low seismic activity as authorities took stock of the damage. Around 430 buildings have been destroyed so far in the countryside. La Palma volcano, which is part of the volcanic Canary Islands off northwest Africa and is home to around 85,000 people, erupted on September 19. Rapid evacuations of more than 6,000 people prevented casualties. Life on the rest of La Palma, which is around 35 km long and 20 km wide at its widest point, has remained largely unaffected. “We are not in a state of total alarm,” the technical director of the volcanic emergency response unit, Miguel Angel Morcuende, told a press conference. “Life on the island continues, although those close to the eruption face challenges.” The volcano was still ejecting molten rock and black smoke. His roar could be heard for miles. Scientists said the rash could last up to three months. The sound of volcanic explosions could shatter glass in the surrounding area, Morcuende said, urging people living within 3 miles to stay away from their windows. Officials said falling volcanic ash was not a threat to public health, but the cleanup could be dangerous for people’s lungs and eyes. They urged people to wear face masks, gloves and goggles, as well as long-sleeved pants and shirts, when removing the ashes. Some 25,000 tonnes of sulfur dioxide were emitted from the crater every day, but did not pose a health threat, officials said. Although Spain’s Aena airport authority tweeted that La Palma airport was back in operation on Sunday, no planes were scheduled to land or take off. Five airlines had already canceled their flights for the day to La Palma because of the ash cloud. Volcanic ash is dangerous for aircraft engines. Long queues formed at the port of the island to take the ferries off the island. Authorities allowed 160 evacuees to return to their homes and allowed other evacuees to collect their belongings from their homes, as the lava flows remained slow. Associated Australian Press

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