By Guillermo Martinez and Jon Nazca

LA PALMA (Reuters) -Intensifying volcanic explosions on the Spanish island of La Palma forced firefighters to retreat and authorities to evacuate three more towns on Friday, while airlines cancelled flights due to a cloud of gas and ash, the biggest since the volcano erupted.

On Friday, firefighters pulled out from clean-up operations in Todoque because a new vent had opened in the volcano’s flank. Social media videos showed an enormous shockwave coming from the volcano.

Witnesses to the eruption saw a large grey cloud rising from the summit of the volcano Friday afternoon. This was the first time it had happened since Sunday’s eruption.

The volcano has entered a new explosive phase. Tenerife’s fire department, which was deployed to assist La Palma, tweeted that firefighters would no longer be able to operate today.

The authorities ordered evacuations of Tajuya and Tacande de Abajo, as well as the Tacande de Arriba area that was not evacuated by Friday afternoon. Residents were instructed to meet at the nearest football field.

The Canary Islands emergency service had originally advised residents to remain indoors in order to avoid dense clouds of ash, lava fragments and other hazards. However, they decided that it was safer to leave due to increased risk from explosions.

People were not the only ones who had to be evacuated. Animals also needed to be evacuated.

Guardia Civil stated that evacuation is the most important task, but they also have other crucial tasks like keeping animals safe. They posted a video of officers transporting reluctant goats safely to safety.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Sunday and has since emitted thousands of tons of volcanic lava. It also destroyed many houses, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

None of these deaths or serious injuries have been confirmed, but around 15% of the island’s crucially important banana crop is at risk. It could threaten thousands of jobs.

Canary Island airline Binter said on Friday it had cancelled all flights to La Palma due to the volcano eruption https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/canaries-volcano-blasts-lava-into-air-ash-blankets-area-2021-09-23, while Iberia cancelled its only flight scheduled for the day, and another local airline, Canaryfly, also suspended operations.

Binter stated that the airline was forced to suspend operations from La Palma due to the increasing ash cloud.

Although it had originally cancelled only night flights, the airline could not tell when they would resume operation.

According to the Canaries volcanology center, a thick cloud of toxic gas explosions and ash is visible in the sky.

According to the Spanish weather agency, it has started drifting northeastward towards the Mediterranean Sea and Spanish continental.

Except for two tiny areas, airspace above the island is open.