A volcano erupts in the Canaries: black smoke, lava and earthquakes

Emergency in La Palma, in the Canary Island (Spain) for the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

The images coming from the island show a huge column of smoke and lava coming out.

The eruption was preceded by a small earthquake, the last and umpteenth of a series that in recent days has put several towns in the area on alert.

Since this phenomenon began, the National Geographic Institute has recorded more than 6,600 small earthquakes in the Cumbre Vieja area.

In recent days, local authorities have declared the "yellow" alert level (ie the second out of four) for the municipalities of

Fuencaliente, Los Llanos de Aridane, El Paso y Mazo, where about 35 thousand people live.

Forty-fourty people residing on some farms near the volcano have been evacuated.

The evolution of the situation is closely followed by the central government of Madrid.

(Unioneonline / lf)