More people have been ordered to leave their homes due to advancing lava on the Spanish island of La Palma, where a volcano began erupting more than three weeks ago.
Between 700 and 800 people have been told to gather at an assembly point with their pets and belongings by 7 pm, the Pevolca emergency committee announced on Twitter.
Depending on developments, people would possibly be able to return to their homes accompanied by security personnel to rescue any other belongings in the coming days, Pevolca wrote on Twitter.
So far, around 6,000 people have had to leave their homes. Most have been taken in by friends or relatives in other parts of the island, or are staying in hotels.
Just hours ahead of the evacuation order, curfews affecting around 3,000 people were lifted in the same area, near the industrial zone of Callejon de la Gata.
It had been feared on Monday that dangerous chemicals could be released when lava with a temperature of up to 1,200 degrees set fire to several businesses, including a cement factory.
Eruption more violent
The volcano, which has no official name, erupted on September 19 for the first time in 50 years. The eruption became more violent in recent days, with repeated explosions throwing magma in the air, while smoke rose several kilometres high.
So far, up to 1,000 buildings have been destroyed and the island's agriculture and industry has suffered serious damage.
Most of the lava has been flowing into the Atlantic ocean, creating a new strip of land. Meanwhile, two new flows have developed, heading northwards through the island's industrial zone.
A series of small to medium-strength earthquakes have also shaken the island off the western coast of Africa. Since early Monday, around 120 earthquakes have been registered, reaching a magnitude of up to 4.1, the RTVE state broadcaster reported.
