Selfie-taking Brits slammed for smiling volcano photos: 'Idiotic'
The behaviour of four British men who took photos of themselves smiling just metres away from a volcano eruption has been condemned in Spain.
The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on September 19 and has spewed red-hot lava across Canarian island La Palma, forcing more than 6,000 people to flee their homes.
Roughly 2,000 buildings have been destroyed as the lava, which continues to flow, engulfs several villages. The island is part of the Canary Islands, located off the west coast of Morocco,
The men are alleged to have boarded a boat from nearby Tenerife and sailed to the island, breaching police orders, Spanish outlet La Sexta reported.
Pictures uploaded to Instagram show the heavily-tattooed men posing for photos in front of the lava at night.
The men shared the images on social media, allegedly boasting about their trip and evasion of authorities, the Daily Mail reported.
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"We had to cover to sneak round the army and police. It was a full SAS mission with roadblocks, search points and animals to dog in pitch black," one man reportedly wrote online.
"Took a plane, a rental car, a ferry, and a five hour night hike around the army's roadblocks but we f****** did it.
"Once in a lifetime s***."
Men could face charges over behaviour
Authorities say they have identified the men involved however they have not been identified publicly.
The men are now facing potential charges over breaching police orders on the island, according to La Sexta.
General director of the Civil Guard, María Gámez, has pleaded with people to "take the situation seriously" after the men's visit.
Authorities said such stunts not only endanger the lives of those involved but emergency service workers on the island.
There have been no fatalities from the eruption to date, with police's swift action to evacuate residents credited for such a feat.
The men's actions have been lambasted on social media, with many calling for harsh punishments.
Users said their behaviour was "idiotic" and "irresponsible".
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