Intensifying volcanic explosions on the Spanish island of La Palma forced firefighters to retreat and authorities to evacuate three more towns on Friday, while airlines cancelled flights due to a cloud of gas and ash, the biggest since the volcano erupted. A cloud of smoke and ash is seen from the sea as volcanic explosions intensified on the Canary Island of La Palma, Spain, on Friday. Spanish Civil Guards help people flee in El Paso, on the Canary Island of La Palma, on Friday. Binter said it was forced to halt operations to and from La Palma as the ash cloud had worsened considerably in the last few hours. It has begun to drift northeast toward the Mediterranean and Spanish mainland, the national weather agency said.

Source: CBC News September 24, 2021 18:40 UTC