LONDON (AP) — A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday, just hours after authorities evacuated a nearby community and the Blue Lagoon spa. Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik, where some 40 homes have been evacuated, national broadcaster RUV reported.

A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday, just hours after authorities evacuated a nearby community and a geothermal spa, one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions. Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik,

Tourists have been rushed out of a popular destination as lava started to flow from the Sunddhnúksgígar volcano in Iceland, sparking fears of an impending eruption. Experts have noted a rise in seismic activity in recent weeks,