Madrid, October 6 (BNA) The Spanish government has approved an aid package worth 213.7 million euros (248 million dollars) for the Canary island of La Palma, which was badly affected by a volcanic eruption.
The decree issued by the Council of Ministers in Madrid on Tuesday aims at “urgent actions” for the “social and economic reconstruction” of the Atlantic island off the west coast of Africa, the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) led by Prime Minister Pedro. Sanchez announced, according to the Deutsche News Agency (dpa).
Last week, Madrid had already approved a €10.5 million first aid programme.
The volcano was still active on Tuesday, 16 days after the initial eruption.
Although the volcanic cone partially collapsed on Monday and the lava flow increased towards the sea as a result, the molten rock, whose temperature is more than 1,000 degrees Celsius, continued to flow down the slopes on the same path as before.
So there was no need for further evacuations. About 6,000 people have had to leave their homes so far.
According to the latest official data, lava has destroyed 1,046 buildings since the beginning of the eruption. It also caused severe damage to agriculture and infrastructure. An area of about 420 hectares was covered with a meter thick layer of lava.
Less popular with tourists than other Canary Islands such as Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote, the volcano erupted on September 19 for the first time in 50 years.
Volcanologists have not been able to say how long it will remain active. They said it could take months.
HF