Sánchez conveys the Government's commitment to the recovery of the areas and families affected by the volcanic eruption on La Palma

Sánchez emphasised the safety of the citizens of La Palma as the top priority of the emergency plan organised on the island. "The most important thing now is to ensure security. We are still in the eruption phase, so we must exercise extreme caution, stay away from the affected areas and inform ourselves through official channels," he said.

The president also distinguished three clear phases for the activation of civil protection systems in such disasters: prevention, response and recovery. "In terms of prevention, I would like to thank Science again for its work, which is fundamental. As for the response, I want to assure the citizens of La Palma that all means of the State are at their disposal. And on recovery, I want to convey the full commitment that no people will be left behind," he said.

Sánchez praised the work of the emergency teams deployed on the island and underlined the support of the whole country for those affected by the volcano. "All of Spain is with La Palma today and this is also seen in the joint and coordinated work of all the administrations. When we work together, the public appreciates it and that brings security and peace of mind," he said.

Visit to the reception centre for those affected

Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la BellacasaThis morning, the President of the Government of Spain visited the reception centre for those affected by the volcano on La Palma, located in the El Fuerte barracks, which has been loaned by the Ministry for Defence for accommodation. Sánchez has seen at first hand the work of the emergency operation at the centre and the situation of the residents evacuated by the volcano's eruption.

During his visit, Sánchez was accompanied by the Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the president of the Canary Islands, Ángel Víctor Torres, the president of the City Hall of La Palma, Mariano Hernández, the government delegate in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, and officials from the Red Cross and the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS).

A reinforced emergency system

The arrangements for the volcano's eruption on the island are being coordinated by all national, regional and local authorities, security forces and public cooperation. Thus, the regional and local operation has around 650 people at its disposal, in addition to the State Law Enforcement Forces and Agencies, as well as the Military Emergency Unit (UME), the Army, Civil Protection and firefighters.

Specifically, 92 National Police officers - 47 from the Santa Cruz de La Palma Local Police Station, 45 from Unit 10 of the Police Intervention Unit (UIP) and four from the helicopter unit - and 200 Civil Guard personnel, including Citizen Security, SEPRONA, Traffic, the Mountain Unit, the Dog Service, the Rural Security Group, the GEAS Special Underwater Activities Group, the Maritime Service patrol boat, the Judicial Police and the helicopter group, are taking part in the emergency work on the island.

They are joined by 184 members of the UME and 57 vehicles, and are awaiting the incorporation of the 2nd Battalion of Seville. In addition, 50 Civil Protection personnel, 30 local police, 12 members of the regional police and 40 members of the Red Cross will form part of the operation, together with the resources deployed by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO): the BRIF-A from Punta Gorda (La Palma) and an ACO coordination and observation aircraft from the base in Muchamiel, Alicante.

At the same time, the City Hall of La Palma has made 20 infrastructure workers, 100 environmental workers and up to 50 firefighters available, including those from the Tenerife Firefighting Consortium. In addition, 20 members of the Ayuda en Emergencias Anaga association and the collaboration of Alfa Tango, a non-profit association for civil protection on the island, are working on the ground.

In turn, the National Geographic Institute has sent members of the Canary Islands Geophysical Centre and the Madrid Centre to the area. The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the Spanish Oceanographic Institute are also working on the ground to provide scientific and technical assistance.

In light of the evolution of the volcanic emergency, the authorities recommend following the instructions of the State Law Enforcement Forces and Agencies and Civil Protection at all times, avoiding travel to the areas affected by the eruption and continuously following official information channels to avoid the spread of hoaxes and unconfirmed information.

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