La Palma volcano: latest updates from ASTV's Spanish team

The lava from the volcano eruption in La Palma made contact with the sea last night after nine days. The ASTV Spanish team is reporting live from La Palma to keep you up to date with the latest information on the event.

A cloud of white smoke can be seen where the lava is falling. It is coming off of a cliff and going into the water, causing some dangerous gases to be emitted. Where our reporters are is safe and the dangerous zones are blocked off. The white smoke is known as "laze", lava and haze, which forms due to chemical reactions when the hot lava touches the cold sea water. Plumes from the laze can cause irritation to the eyes, lungs, and skin.

The European Union's Copernicus service has estimated that the lava has engulfed about 267 hectares and destroyed 656 homes. Now, in addition to the fears of toxic gases, there are also concerns that the shoreline could collapse and cause explosions.

The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will make a trip to the island to coordinate aid for the residents. It was estimated last week that the damage from the eruption would eventually exceed 400 million euros. Since the eruption began, Sánchez said, the residents of La Palma "have been cowering with a tremendous sense of desolation".