SANTA CRUZ DE LA PALMA, Oct 11 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The direction of Pevolca (Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan) has ordered this Monday the home confinement of almost 3,000 people in various areas of the municipalities of El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane after the release of gases from the combustion of the plant fire of cement located in the industrial park of Callejón de la Gata.
This was announced at a press conference by the spokesman for the steering committee, Miguel Ángel Morcuende, who pointed out that the affected area covers approximately an area between the Tajuya crossing and the El Paso soccer field.
In addition, he has indicated that the weather forecast on the island “is bad” for the next three days since the trade wind blows with little force and the sea breeze pushes the ashes to the east, which can affect the operation of the airport .
Morcuende has commented that this confinement is adopted as a precaution and to “avoid possible health problems”, and will be reviewed throughout the afternoon once the air quality in the environment of the cement factory is analyzed.
However, he has commented that it is “reasonably good” given that except for a specific moment in the last morning the particles are below the thresholds that can present a risk to health.
The spokeswoman for the scientific committee, María José Blanco, has indicated that the volcanic plume of ash and gases reaches 4,000 meters in height and although it is “unlikely” that the ash reaches the north of Tenerife and affects the operation of the Tenerife airport North, it has warned that the east of La Palma is the most affected area and therefore, there may be problems at the airport.
With data from this Sunday, the emission of sulfur dioxide remains “at high levels”, with an underestimated amount of 7,652 tons per day while the Cumbre Vieja ridge in total reaches 1,884 tons of carbon dioxide, in any case, without danger for tourists or visitors.