- Guatemala issued an orange 'danger' alert on Monday after the Fuego volcano erupted, sending lava and ash plumes into the air.
- Evacuations were ordered for around 250 people from the villages of El Porvenir and Las Lajitas as a preventive measure.
- National Route 14 was closed and classes were suspended in nearby towns due to the eruption.
- The eruption started on Monday morning and increased in intensity throughout the day, with lava fountains developing over the crater.
- Fuego volcano is one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, with a history of deadly eruptions.
- In 2018, the eruption killed 215 people and devastated a village, affecting up to 1.7 million people.
- Another eruption in June 2022 led to the evacuation of more than 500 people due to gas and ash emissions.
- In 2023, another eruption caused the evacuation of around 1,200 people from the surrounding areas.
Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupted on Monday, leading to an orange alert and the evacuation of approximately 250 residents from El Porvenir and Las Lajitas.
Claudinne Ogaldes, executive secretary of CONRED, reported that the eruption began in the morning and intensified throughout the day, with lava fountains reaching between 200 and 300 meters (650 to 1,000 feet) high.
The eruption has caused significant ash plumes, prompting warnings that ash could spread to nearby towns.
“The eruption increases its explosiveness level,” stated a report from the Guatemalan Seismology, Vulcanology, Weather and Water Institute.
In response to the eruption, the government has closed National Route 14, a major highway, and suspended classes in surrounding areas.
This eruption follows a history of devastating eruptions from Fuego, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America.
In June 2018, a previous eruption resulted in 215 fatalities and left many missing, affecting up to 1.7 million people.
The Fuego volcano, standing at 3,763 meters, is located just 35 kilometers from Guatemala City, and has prompted several evacuations in recent years due to its frequent activity.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as they continue to evacuate residents and assess the impact of the eruption.
“CONRED said the evacuation of El Porvenir and Las Lajitas covers around 250 people, while the Guatemalan Seismology, Vulcanology, Weather and Water Institute reported a 200-to-300-meter lava fountain over the crater. National Route 14 was closed and classes suspended in nearby towns; Fuego's 2018 eruption killed 215 people and destroyed a village.”
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