The Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma in the archipelago of the Canary Islands continues to spew ash, smoke and lava. A vast stream of white-hot lava reached the sea late on Tuesday, sparking fears the contact would release clouds of acidic gas into the air, which could irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tracts, possibly causing breathing difficulties. A Spanish official downplayed the risk of the gases harming local residents, with windy conditions blowing the gas towards the sea. IMAGES