The volcano on the Canary Island of La Palma does not come to rest. Some schools have now been closed and air traffic has ceased.
La Palma – The volcano on the Canary Island of La Palma has paralyzed air traffic again. Due to large amounts of volcanic ash, all flights to the Atlantic island off the west coast of Africa have been canceled for the time being, the airport operator Aena announced on Tuesday.
In addition, 22 schools were closed because the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the air was too high in some parts of the island, reported the state TV broadcaster RTVE, citing the authorities.
Since the beginning of the volcanic eruption on September 19, the lava, some of which has a temperature of almost 1,300 degrees, has destroyed or damaged more than 2,700 buildings. Already 975 hectares are covered with a layer of lava several meters thick. More than 7,000 residents have had to be brought to safety since the volcano erupted. Experts could not say when the outbreak would end. dpa
