Azores prepared to assist Canary Islands after volcano eruption
The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma erupted on Sunday in the Las Manchas area, after more than a week in which thousands of earthquakes were recorded in the region.
The president of the Azores government, José Manuel Bolieiro, on Monday said that the region is prepared to help the Canary Islands government, providing human and technical resources to assist following the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.
Speaking to journalists at the presidency headquarters in Ponta Delgada, Bolieiro said he had already had the opportunity to express solidarity with the Canary Islands government and that the Regional Secretary for Health and Sport, who is responsible for Civil Protection, is already prepared and committed to the need to allocate means and resources that may be requested.
The head of the Azorean executive also said that the region has made human and technical resources available, particularly at the level of civil protection, to help the Canary Islands.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma erupted on Sunday in the Las Manchas area, after more than a week in which thousands of earthquakes were recorded in the region.
In the area, near Las Manchas, a huge column of volcanic material is visible, Efe news agency reported.
On Monday, it was reported that dozens of houses have been destroyed by lava that continues to flow towards the sea on the island of La Palma but there are no victims after the authorities evacuated more than 5,000 people.
Spain’s air navigation manager, Enaire, has issued a recommendation as a precautionary measure to suspend flights to the island of La Palma due to the eruption.
The Portuguese prime minister on Sunday evening sent a message of solidarity to his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sánchez, following the eruption of the volcano and expressed Portugal’s readiness to provide support.
