Key facts
- Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupted, leading to evacuations and ash warnings.
- Hundreds of people have been evacuated, with authorities anticipating more.
- An orange alert has been issued, later raised to red in affected departments.
- Ash clouds have reached high altitudes, impacting thousands and causing class suspensions.
- Lava flows and hot rocks are descending from the crater, posing significant risk.
Guatemala's Fuego volcano has entered an intense eruptive phase, prompting widespread evacuations and high alert levels. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from villages surrounding the colossus, with authorities anticipating further displacement as ash clouds reach significant altitudes and lava flows descend.
CONRED, the national emergency agency, has coordinated the evacuation of approximately 1,700 individuals who are now housed in designated shelters. The alert level has been elevated to red in the departments of Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, and Chimaltenango, where nearly 29,000 people have been affected by falling ash. Classes in educational institutions within these areas have been suspended, and a nearby route has been closed.
Volcanic activity includes ash clouds reaching six kilometers high and lava flows extending up to seven kilometers from the crater. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, emphasizing that the next 72 hours are critical for understanding the volcano's behavior. The risk of lahars, or mudflows, is also heightened due to the combination of volcanic debris and incoming rainfall.
Residents like Eva Cajabón Pérez expressed fear for their safety and property, with some family members remaining behind to guard homes against potential looting. The memory of a devastating 2018 eruption, which claimed hundreds of lives and displaced an entire community, weighs heavily on the affected population.
Fuego volcano, a stratovolcano standing 3,768 meters tall, is one of Guatemala's most active. Its location spans the departments of Escuintla, Chimaltenango, and Sacatepéquez.