La Palma volcano: Drone footage shows lava flows engulfing houses as volcano erupts

Lava spewing from Mount Cumbre Vieja on the Spanish island of La Palma entered the municipality of Los Llanos de Aridane today, where it swallowed homes and set light to nearby buildings (pictured left and bottom right). Mariano Hernandez, mayor of the island, said eight rivers of lava are spewing from two fissures on the volcano, with the molten rock heading towards the coastal towns of La Bombilla and Puerto Naos. Some 5,500 people have been evacuated so-far, including around 500 tourists, 380 of who were sailed out of Puerto Naos to the neighbouring island of Tenerife. The lava is expected to reach the ocean around 8pm today, when it will release a cloud of toxic gas as it mixes with the ocean water. It is the first time in 50 years that a volcano on the island has erupted, with volcanologist Joan Martín warning the current eruption could last for another two months. Original Article: