La Palma Firefighters Attempt to Divert Lava Away From Town

In the late hours of September 21, firefighters on the volcano-hit Canary Island of La Palma used heavy machinery in an attempt to divert lava threatening homes, while noting they were not sure the tactic would be effective.

By flattening some ground and “moving obstacles”, the firefighters said they hoped to channel the lava into a ravine, saving buildings in the town of Todoque.

Around 200 buildings in the path of the lava have been destroyed, following the September 19 eruption of the island’s Cumbre Vieja volcano, Telecinco said. Around 6,000 people have been evacuated, the news site said. Credit: Bomberos Gran Canaria via Storyful