Emergency Teams Help People Flee Volcano in Spain

Emergency teams helped residents evacuate the volcano-hit Spanish island of La Palma, Tuesday, September 21, as a wall of lava grows ever closer to residential areas.
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READ MORE: A vast river of molten lava from a Canary Islands volcano was edging toward the sea Tuesday, destroying everything in its path and provoking fears it will generate clouds of toxic gases when it hits the water.

A new fissure emerged on the slopes of the Cumbre Vieja volcano overnight, belching out more lava and forcing hundreds more people to flee their homes.

"The lava flow is moving inexorably toward the sea, and absolutely nothing can be done about it," said Angel Victor Torres, regional head of the Canary Islands.

"We are completely powerless in the face of this advancing lava flow, which is moving at 200 meters [655 feet] per hour and has already swept away everything in its path ... and will continue to do so on its way to the sea."

Located on La Palma Island, the volcano has forced 6,100 people from their homes and destroyed several properties and land spanning a huge area since it erupted Sunday afternoon, island officials say.
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