La Palma volcano: Spanish PM vows to speed up aid after more than 7,000 residents flee

• Credit: TV Canaria

The lava has destroyed over 2,000 buildings and consumed homes and farms in its trail

Spain's prime minister has vowed to accelerate the delivery of aid to the agricultural and fishing industries devastated by the La Palma volcano, which has now forced some 7,500 people to flee their homes.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano in the Spanish Canary Islands begun erupting on September 19 and, more than a month later, it is still spewing out lava.

The molten rock has covered more than 2,100 acres and crushed or damaged about 2,185 buildings.

It has consumed homes, farms, swimming pools and industrial buildings in the largely agricultural area.

Most of those who have fled have taken refuge with family or friends- but around 430 people are in temporary lodgings provided by the local government.

During a press conference on Saturday, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said: "We are going to approve a modification of the contingency fund to accelerate the arrival of those economic resources linked to the employment plan, and to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for the affected sectors."

"The solidarity of the Spanish people is here today in La Palma. The Spanish government is here today, and will be working everyday with the Council, with the municipalities, with the Canary Island´s government to give the best of futures to this island."

He also said a "new social shield" will be approved next Tuesday to help the self-employed workers of the island of La Palma, who had claimed not having access to financial aid.

Sánchez’s government had already assigned 63 million euros in direct aid, with another 6 million euros for the local farming and fishing industries impacted in the impacted area.

Scientists say the eruption could go on for three months.