Iceland volcano - emergency declared as lava sets town on fire | BBC News

Iceland’s Prime Minister has declared a national emergency as lava from an erupting volcano engulfed a nearby town.

The molten lava poured into the fishing town of Grindavik with many houses het on fire. The last residents had fled the day before after the authorities order the town’s evacuation.

Addressing the nation in a live broadcast Iceland's President Gudni Johannesson urged Icelanders to "stand together and have compassion for those who cannot be in their homes."

Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said: "Today is a black day for Grindavík and today is a black day for all of Iceland but the sun will rise again. Together we will deal with this shock and whatever may come."

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jessica Parker.

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