BRITS have had to flee for their lives after being evacuated from the Canary island of La Palma because of a volcano erupting.

       Huge red plumes topped with black-and-white smoke shot out, as a river of lava flowed from the La Cumbre Vieja volcano, on La Palma forcing 5,000 people to be evacuated.

       Brits planning to travel to and from the luxury holiday destination have been put on alert after the volcanic activity in the last week.

       The British government said this evening: "On Sunday 19 September 2021, at approximately 15.15 local time, there was a volcanic eruption on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma.

       Read our La Palma volcano live blog below for the latest updates...

       John Hall a minute ago

       'IMMEDIATE DANGER'

       A 3.8-magnitude quake was recorded before the eruption as vibrations from the seismic activity were felt on the surface.

       One black lava flow with a burning tip was sliding toward some houses in the village of El Paso.

       Mayor Sergio Rodriguez said 300 people in immediate danger had been evacuated from their homes and sent to the El Paso’s football field.

       The Civil Guard added that the evacuation affects more than 5,000 people from different districts in the municipalities of El Paso, Tazacorte and Los Llanos de Aridane.

       John Hall 4 minutes ago

       FAIR WARNING

       Cumbre Vieja straddles a ridge in the south of La Palma island and has erupted twice in the 20th century, first in 1949 then again in 1971.

       The eruption came after a week of seismic activity that that has seen around a thousand people evacuated from their homes.

       John Hall 7 minutes ago

       STAY SAFE

       Emergency services in the area recommended that people remain calm, keep their doors and windows closed and keep key documents on them.

       People are also encouraged to keep their phone and a battery operated radio on them at all times and those with animals should follow evacuation guidelines.

       John Hall 11 minutes ago

       GET OUT!

       An evacuation plan designed by the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan is underway as a result of the volcanic eruption in 'Cumbre Vieja', in the area of Cabeza de Vaca.

       The volcanic eruption alert has gone from yellow traffic light to red in the area.

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