The Atlantic Ocean has been reached by red hot lava from an erupting volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma, nine days after it began to flow down the mountain, destroying residences and crops.

Vast clouds of white steam billowed out from the Playa Nueva area late Tuesday night as the lava contacted the lake, raising fears of explosions and the discharge of hazardous chemicals.

The Canary Islands Volcanic Institute (Involcan) tweeted that the lava flow had reached the sea at Playa Nueva. On September 19, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted.

The emergency services of the Canary Islands recommended anybody who outside sought cover as soon as possible.

"The lockdown must be strictly observed when the lava reaches the sea," Miguel Angel Morcuende, the director of the Pevolca reaction committee, said earlier on Tuesday.

Cumbre Vieja lava has engulfed everything in its path, including approximately 600 homes and a 21-kilometer (13-mile) stretch of road. According to a European Union satellite monitoring service, the lava has already covered 258 hectares (637 acres) of predominantly agricultural area, including banana plantations.

So yet, no fatalities or significant injuries have been reported due to the mass evacuation of over 6,000 individuals. On Monday, three coastal communities were also evacuated as the lava approached the Atlantic Ocean.

On Tuesday, Spain declared La Palma a disaster zone, triggering financial assistance for the island, with an estimated population of 85,000 people and mainly reliant on agriculture and tourism. The airport has been closed for days due to concerns that volcanic ash poses a threat to aviation.

According to government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez, the first package of 10.5 million euros ($12.3 million) contains around five million euros ($5.8 million) for house purchases and the remainder for furniture and essential household products.

She noted that once the current emergency is ended, more aid will be given, especially for the reconstruction of public infrastructure.

One resident of Tacande de Arriba, who was evacuated last week, was relieved to find his house still standing and his pet cats unharmed.

"It's a fantastic feeling," said Gert Waegerle, 75, who fled the oncoming lava on Friday with his five turtles but had to leave his cats behind.

"I am overjoyed because everything worked out in the end."