Tenerife is preparing for a volcanic eruption: residents are being given "emergency kits" and training is being conducted.

Radio, batteries, flashlight, notepad, pen, thermal blanket, hygiene products, document folder, and some cash – this is what should be in the "emergency kit" of every resident of Tenerife in case of an emergency. This was stated by the President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, during the distribution of these kits on September 24. This is in preparation for exercises simulating a volcanic eruption, which have already begun in Garachico and will peak on September 26.

According to the Red Cross, the island's authorities handed over 73 such kits to residents of Villa and Puerto. They have everything necessary to survive a possible volcanic eruption. About 70 people from different parts of the city came to the former monastery of San Francisco to receive their suitcases. They were given out one per family. Dávila also added that such kits will be received by residents of five more municipalities of Tenerife that will be most affected in the event of an eruption. These are La Orotava, El Tanque, Guía de Isora, Icod de los Vinos, and Santiago del Teide. Training sessions will also be held there, which have been organized in Garachico by an international organization in recent weeks. All this was made possible thanks to the cooperation between the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Red Cross.

During the exercises, 200 residents of the old pier area will be evacuated. Loli Velázquez, María Candelaria Méndez, Cristina Méndez, and Silvia González, who live there, are calm about the exercises. "We will wait for instructions. There is nothing to worry about. If we are warned, everything will be fine. God forbid this happens, but if it does, we will know what to do," says Velázquez. The four residents of this area agree that it may be "a little difficult" for the elderly. One of them decided to leave Garachico for the duration of the exercises because she is very nervous. This is compounded by the recent earthquakes and rumors of an "imminent eruption" spread through messengers.

These evacuation kits were received not only by residents of Garachico who will participate in the exercises on September 26. Dulce González Illada and Nieves González from Genovés, in the northwestern part of Tenerife, also received them. "We signed up for lectures and came to get a backpack," explains González Illada. "People are concerned about rumors of a possible eruption, although many don't care," locals say. They also add: "What has to happen will happen. We'll see what we'll do."

After the distribution of the backpacks, a demonstration of their contents was held and how to use them was explained. "The goal is to help families prepare for an emergency and adapt the kit to their needs, taking into account the experience gained during the exercises," the Cabildo assures.

Garachico has become the focus of attention in Europe this week due to these exercises. The eruption simulation, which will take place on September 26, is part of the EU-Modex Tenerife 2025 program. This is felt in the city: people in uniforms of various security services, screens for broadcasting the exercises, stands, and signs blocking traffic – all this indicates that something is happening here. Locals still remember how lava once covered the city.