A state of emergency has been announced following the sudden eruption of one of the most hazardous volcanoes in Central America.
Volcán de Fuego, renowned for its high activity and unpredictability, began erupting in Guatemala on Monday morning and escalated throughout the day, releasing molten lava, massive ash clouds, and smoke into the atmosphere.
Authorities reacted by issuing the country’s second-highest emergency warning and promptly evacuating residents from the vicinity.
Guatemala’s disaster agency Conred declared a nationwide orange alert due to the Fuego volcano eruption, evacuating two nearby villages to ensure safety.
Situated in the Sierra Madre mountain range, Volcán de Fuego, meaning ‘volcano of fire’ in Spanish, lies approximately 16km west of Antigua, a popular tourist spot in Central America.
Known for its almost constant low-level activity, Fuego frequently emits ash, smoke, and minor explosions every 15-20 minutes.
While major eruptions are less common, this recent event marks the ninth significant eruption since 2015.
The eruption of Fuego volcano is currently being livestreamed by Guatemalan broadcaster Crelosa.
Earlier today, Conred, the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction in Guatemala, confirmed the hazardous conditions in the area.
The famously active Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala erupted on Monday morning, marking the third major eruption in four years for Central America’s most active volcano.
Fuego previously erupted twice in 2023, leading to the evacuation of around 1,700 individuals for their safety.
In 2018, a volcanic eruption claimed 215 lives as lava flowed into a nearby village.
