Volcanic eruption shuts down popular tourist island

German Foreign Office advises against travel to La Palma

Ash plume from volcano reaches height of six kilometers

The German Foreign Office has advised against travel to the Canary Island of La Palma due to a volcanic eruption. The eruption began on Sunday afternoon and has forced the evacuation of thousands of people.

The ash plume from the volcano has reached a height of six kilometers and is causing significant disruption to air travel. Several flights have been canceled and others have been diverted to other airports.

The eruption is also causing damage to property and infrastructure. Several homes and businesses have been destroyed and roads have been closed. The lava flow is moving towards the sea and could potentially reach the coast within the next few days.

The Foreign Office advises German citizens to avoid traveling to La Palma until further notice. Those who are already on the island are advised to follow the instructions of local authorities and to stay away from the affected areas.

The eruption is the first on La Palma since 1971. It is not clear how long the eruption will last but it is likely to cause significant disruption to the island's tourism industry.