UK tourists CLIMB La Palma volcano - in attempt to rescue dogs
British holidaymakers dubbed 'Lava Louts' after they were pictured taking selfies at La Palma's volcano claim they were actually there rescuing -DOGS. The four men climbed up the volcano to where rivers of 1075C molten lava are pouring down from the erupting Cumbre Vieja. They're understood to have caught a flight to Tenerife from the UK, and then a ferry from their accommodation to La Palma. From there they rented a car, and drove to the eruption site, but with five miles to go, they were forced to complete the remainder of their journey on foot. Photos taken by the group document different stages of their insane journey, showing lava spewing from the ground in what looks like quite literally hell on earth. They completed the second half of the hike battling thick smoke and soaring temperatures - with only t shirts around their faces to protect from the fumes. After reaching the base of the volcano, known as the danger zone, the men called it quits and started there descent - but not before they were spotted by army personnel. The were dubbed 'lava louts' but the men now say they were in fact there to help animals. According to Sebastian, the group have a vested interest in animal welfare stemming from one of the men's involvement in a dog rescue institution in the UK. Although they were not able to find any dogs, he says they had every intention of doing so, even bringing water and food for the lost pooches with them on their travels. "The whole reason we made the trip was to give aid to the dogs that we'd seen completely helpless on social media," he said. "Were all animal lovers and we wanted to do something to help them rather than just share a post or retweet.