Friday. 29.03.2024

Several pets trapped by lava flows on the island of La Palma, which has been hit by volcanic eruptions, have been supplied from the air for days.

Two companies are bringing food and water to the animals daily with the help of a drone, the island administration announced on Tuesday.

The electronics company Ticom Soluciones and the tour operator Volcanic Life deserve the thanks of the island's government, stressed the commissioner for security and emergencies, Nieves Rosa Arroyo.

The animals, including a white cat, had been discovered five days ago by a drone with a camera in an empty water basin, among other places.

They could not be reached by land because of the extremely hot lava surrounding them.

More evacuations

The volcano in the south of the island of La Palma, which is less well-known to tourists than other Canary Islands such as Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote, erupted on September 19 for the first time in 50 years.

Lava has since destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, according to official figures. Around 6,000 people have been brought to safety.

On Tuesday, up to 800 more people had to leave their homes because of approaching lava.

Experts have not been able to say how long the volcano would remain active. It could last weeks or even months, they said.

Pets trapped by lava on La Palma being cared for from the air