Giant tortoises safe from Galapagos eruption

A volcanic eruption on the Galapagos Islands has sent scorching lava pouring seawards but giant tortoises which helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution are believed safe.

The Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island - the largest of the Pacific Ocean archipelago which is part of Ecuador - erupted on Sunday, the Galapagos National Park said.

Slow-moving lava is edging down the mountainside and could reach the sea in a week's time, but the island's unique fauna and human inhabitants have not been harmed, the park said.