A state of emergency was declared following the sudden eruption of Volcán de Fuego, one of Central America’s most hazardous volcanoes. Known for its high activity levels, the volcano in Guatemala started erupting on Monday morning and escalated by nightfall, emitting molten lava, ash, and smoke into the sky.
In response, authorities raised the country’s emergency alert to the second-highest level and swiftly evacuated residents from the vicinity. The Guatemalan disaster agency Conred announced a nationwide orange alert, evacuating two nearby villages as a precaution.
A hiker near the volcano captured a close-up video of the eruption, showcasing the intense activity. Guatemala, situated on the “Ring of Fire” in the Pacific, frequently experiences seismic and volcanic events.
Last year, 500 individuals were evacuated due to ash and smoke emissions from Fuego, leading to school closures and road shutdowns. In a previous eruption in 2023, around 1,200 people were evacuated from the area.
Conred reported an increase in volcanic activity, with lava flowing down the mountain’s southwest side. Volcán de Fuego, located in the Sierra Madre mountain range, approximately 16km west of Antigua, is known for its near-constant low-level activity, emitting ash, smoke, and minor explosions every 15-20 minutes.
While major eruptions are infrequent, this marks the ninth significant eruption since 2015. The area was deemed unsafe by Conred earlier today.
The recent eruption of the famously volatile Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala is the third major event in four years for Central America’s most active volcano. Fuego erupted twice in 2023, leading to the evacuation of approximately 1,700 individuals for their safety. It also erupted in 2018, resulting in the tragic loss of 215 lives as lava flowed into a nearby village.
