I don’t understand how the wells can pose a threat if lava reaches them. As for the sensationalism, I haven’t seen that in the local press. In fact, they tend to underplay. And they’re sure not covering the deficiencies that got them here.
The wells tap into the volcanic nastiness that underlays the entire area. In 2014 when they were drilling one of the wells there was a blowout that spewed hydrogen sulfide gas for 30 hours before they could cap it off.