Pevolca has confirmed that between 900 and 1,000 people will be able to return to their homes today, Monday 3rd January, after agreeing to lift the evacuation order and exclusion zone in several areas affected by the volcanic eruption in La Palma.
The technical director of Pevolca, Miguel Ángel Morcuende, has announced yesterday that these areas now meet safe conditions for the return of their inhabitants, and that 345 hectares are released to the north of the eruption that until now remained evacuated.
Morcuende has said that people should not yet access underground spaces, such as garages, storerooms, or basements, without a prior gas measurement from Cecopin to ensure they are safe to enter.
Pevolca have also recommended that when entering any building, make sure you are not alone and are accompanied by someone else and that it should be ventilated for at least 15 minutes with all windows and doors open for any gases to escape before turning on the electricity.
When back at home, if anyone experiences dizziness, lack of breath, lack of strength, or nausea, they must leave the house immediately and notify emergency services, and they must also notify the city council if they notice any bulges, deformations, or cracks in their home due to earthquakes or lava.
Morcuende said that other evacuated areas cannot be opened until security conditions are met and that there are still 564 people staying in hotels and 40 in social health centres on the island, with the rest staying with family, friends, or their own rented accommodation.
