Volcano in the Canaries: damage, flight of inhabitants ... the inexorable advance of lava in pictures

A form of helplessness.

While the lava continues to advance towards the sea and nearly 6,000 people have already had to be evacuated to flee the danger, this eruption, which began on Sunday on this island in the Canary archipelago, has already caused the displacement of 6,100 people, including 400 tourists "who have been removed from risk areas" and settled in Tenerife, according to a statement from the regional government of the Canary Islands on Tuesday evening.

An inescapable danger which causes a little more damage every day on the island of La Palma.

The lava of Cumbre Vieja “descends inexorably towards the sea and nothing can be done about it, deplored the president of the Canary Islands region, Angel Victor Torres.

This is all the powerlessness in the face of this flow (…) which carries everything in its path (…) and will carry away other houses ”.

VIDEO.

"Your whole life goes like this ...": the plight of the victims of the eruption in La Palma

The arrival of the flows in the sea, initially scheduled for Monday evening, but delayed due to the slowing of the flow, is feared because it can give rise to explosions of pieces of lava, waves of boiling water or the emanation. toxic gases, according to the United States Institute of Geological Studies (USGS).

185 buildings destroyed and € 400 million in damage

If this eruption, the first since 1971 on this island populated by nearly 85,000 inhabitants, did not cause any death or injury, the consequences are enormous, well exceeding 400 million euros, noted Mr. Torres, who has stressed that the Canaries could benefit from European funds to rebuild.

The lava has destroyed 185 buildings so far, 63 of which are said to be homes, the regional government said.

It covers 103 hectares, according to the European system of geospatial measurements Copernicus.

The images disseminated by the media, the authorities and residents show in particular black and orange flows several meters high slowly descending the sides of the volcano and engulfing trees, roads and houses.

Here are the most impressive, published by news agencies.

Cumbre Vieja volcano, which came into activity on Sunday, ravages La Palma

AFP or licensors

Lava has already engulfed many buildings, including homes

AFP or licensors

On the spot, the emergency services are on the war footing

AFP or licensors

Lava could release toxic gases

AFP or licensors

The advance of lava still threatens many homes

AFP or licensors

The world press has dispatched teams to the site

More than 6,000 people had to flee

Lava covers 103 hectares, according to European system of geospatial measurements Copernicus

The images are worthy of a disaster movie

AFP or licensors

Evacuations continue