La Palma volcano: Couple relieved beloved 'miracle house' survived Canary Islands volcanic eruption

A retired couple say they are "relieved" to see their beloved house in La Palma is still standing after a volcanic eruption.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano in Spain’s Canary Islands continues to produce explosions and spew out lava, five days after eruption.

The lava has destroyed almost 400 buildings on La Palma, including many homes neighbouring what a local newspaper has dubbed a "miracle house".

The holiday home belongs to Danish couple, Inge and Ranier Cocq, who have not visited since the pandemic began, El Mundo newspaper reported.

An aerial image of the house appearing still intact while its surroundings are covered in lava has been circulating on social media.

Ada Monnikendam, who built the house with her husband and brother-in-law, said when she saw the photo, her reaction was: "I know that house! My husband and I built it!"

She then called the owners of the house. Ms Monnikendam said: "We all started crying like crazy when I told them that their beloved house was intact.

"They told me, 'Even though we can't go now, we're relieved that it's still standing.'"

She said the Dutch couple have friends in the area who have lost everything due to the eruption.

Although she was happy to see the house intact, she said "it is also sad to know that the house is there alone without anyone being able to take care of it".

Nothing can survive the unstoppable flow of magma engulfing La Palma, ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers reported on Tuesday

The volcano started eruption on Sunday and the lava is still advancing, with the flow stretching more than 180 hectares.

One of the lava flows has almost ground to a halt and a second one is moving at between 4 and 5 meters an hour, police said.

Scientists say the lava flows could last for weeks or months.

Authorities haven’t reported any serious injuries or deaths from the eruption.

Nearly 7,000 people were evacuated in time as scientists monitoring the volcano had warned of a possible eruption.

But the homes of about 85,000 people have been destroyed, they said.

Officials had recorded 1,130 quakes in the area over the past week.

Blasts are also sending ash almost 15,000 feet into the air, the local police force said in a tweet. Authorities advised people to wear face masks to protect themselves from the ash.