La Palma volcano rages on, Spain vows aid

The Spanish government has approved an aid package totalling 213.7 million euros ($A340 million) for the Canary island of La Palma, which has been badly hit by a volcanic eruption.

The decree, passed in Madrid on Tuesday, is intended for "urgent measures" for the "social and economic reconstruction" of the Atlantic island off the west coast of Africa, the Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced.

Last week, Madrid had passed a first aid program for the island worth 10.5 million euros ($A16.7 million).

The volcano was still active on Tuesday, 16 days after the initial eruption.

The volcanic cone partially collapsed on Monday with the lava flow towards the sea increasing as a result, with 1000C molten rock continuing to pour downhill.

About 6000 people have had to leave their homes so far.

According to the latest official data, the lava has destroyed 1046 buildings since the beginning of the eruption.

It has also caused extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure, with an area of about 420 hectares covered by a metre-thick layer of lava.

The volcano in the south of the island of La Palma, which is less well-known to tourists than other Canary Islands such as Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote, erupted on September 19 for the first time in 50 years.