Volcano erupts on Spain’s Canary Islands, ejecting large plumes of smoke and red-hot molten lava (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

A volcano erupted on La Palma, one of Spain’s Canary Islands off Africa’s Atlantic coast, on Sunday, sending large plumes of grey smoke into the air.

On Saturday, a 3.2-magnitude earthquake was reported on the island. It was followed by four tremors on Sunday morning, with the most powerful said to have reached 3.8 magnitude.

Fearing an eruption and landslides, local authorities had begun to evacuate people with reduced mobility and farm animals from nearby areas as a precaution.

The Teneguia volcano, which is part of the Cumbre Vieja volcanic chain, previously erupted in 1971 – the last surface eruption on Spanish soil. One man was killed in the previous event when he took pictures near the lava flows. No property was damaged.

A volcanic eruption on the Canary Island of La Palma, Spain, September 19, 2021. © Borja Suarez / Reuters

The flow of molten lava has damaged several homes in El Paso, the town’s mayor, Sergio Rodriguez, told the El Pais newspaper.

Videos on social media show red-hot lava devouring a road as it moves down the slope. 

Aerial footage shows large seas of lava dangerously close to buildings in the countryside.

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