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Spectacular volcano eruption on La Reunion
Last updated at 13:22pm on 04.04.07Raging lava has spewed out of one of the world's most active volcanos on the French island of La Reunion.
The red hot lava cut roads in half, damaged homes and created huge clouds of steam as it flowed into the Indian Ocean.
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But the islanders are used to the spectacle. It is the third eruption of the Piton de la Fournaise or 'Mountain of the Furnace' this year alone.
About 50 teenagers were taken to hospital from three schools in Saint Joseph with respiratory problems caused by the volcano's sulpher fumes, according to Clicanoo.com, the online newspaper of La Reunion.
Researchers on the island are concerned the recent activity may be creating more cracks lower down the volcano, which will allow the molten lava to spread further.
The volcano is about 530,000 years old and has erupted an estimated 170 times since the mid 17th century.
La Reunion is a small island wedged between Madagascar and Mauritius. It is one of twenty-six regions of France and President Jacques Chirac is the head of state.
The 777,000 island inhabitants once prospered from the cultivation of sugar cane, but tourism and financial aid from Paris now underpin its economy.
Reader views (3)
I have a friend who live near St Paul, so I am anxious to hear how he fared
- Damien Handslip, United Kingdom
I think its so tragic to see this happen.
- Izibela, La Reunion
My wife and I drove along the road in the second picture in August 2005, it would have been amazing to have seen it with lava as in the picture.
Reunion is one beautiful island, very little is ever heard about it in the UK but it has some of the world's most stunning scenery, and since it's the southernmost part of France they actually use Euros there. Well worth a visit!
- Chris Oldham, Shrewsbury, UK
