La Palma volcano seen from space as the airport was forced to close due to an ash cloud and evacuees lined up for boats to flee the island

Stunning satellite imagery shows hot lava spewing from a volcano on La Palma after a new vent opens – as hundreds attempt to flee the island.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano, which began its eruption last Sunday, has entered a new eruption phase as a new vent has been opened west of the main volcano.

The airport of the Spanish island of La Palma reopened today.

But flights were still canceled as the volcano continued to spew lava and ash clouds over the surrounding area a week after its eruption.

Meanwhile, people line up for boats to leave the island as satellite images show a massive lava flow that can be clearly seen from space.

Experts said there are active lava flows at the moment, a fast flow in the north and a slower flow in the south.

The director of the Pevolca Volcano Response Committee, Miguel Angel Morquinde, said at a press conference: “We have a fast-moving northward flow … This lava comes from more inland areas than the crater and its temperature is around 1250 degrees.”

Mr Morquinde said the current evacuations would be maintained for an additional 24 hours as a precaution.

Reuters drone footage showed a rapid river of incandescent lava flowing down the crater slopes, past homes, swaths of land and buildings engulfed in a black mass of slower and older lava.

Mr Morquinde said evacuees from Tacande de Arriba, Tacande de Abajo and Taguya can return to their homes.

Spanish airport operator Aena said the airport reopened after crew removed ash from the runway.

But Pinter, the Canary Islands airline, said it would keep flights canceled today due to the conditions.

This lava comes from more inland areas of the crater and has a temperature of about 1250 degrees

Miguel Angel MorquindeDirector of the Volcanoes Intervention Committee

A press release read: “The ash cloud from the volcanic eruption makes it necessary to maintain the temporary suspension of flights to La Palma.

“The closure will continue until conditions improve and allow flight, ensuring safety.”

Spanish media reported that all flights would remain canceled today.

Today, Pope Francis sent “closeness and solidarity” to those affected by the eruption during his weekly blessing in St Peter’s Square, while La Palma churches held a special mass for those affected.

Lava rivers in the volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma