Following the renewed eruption of the “Volcan de Fuego” in Guatemala, more than 1,400 people were evacuated to safety. Ash and lava are threatening several towns— and bringing back memories of a deadly eruption in 2018.
Image: Johan Ordonez/AFP
The national civil protection agency, Conred, describes the latest eruption of the Volcan de Fuego on the X platform as a massive eruption: a column of ash, gases and lava fragments is rising four to five kilometers (two to three miles) into the sky.
Image: Cristina Chiquin/REUTERS
The volcano’s renewed activity is causing concern in the surrounding region and putting many residents on high alert. The “Volcan de Fuego” is located about 40 kilometers southwest of the capital, Guatemala City, and is one of the country’s most active volcanoes.
Image: Johan Ordonez/AFP
Authorities have already issued the highest alert level — red — for three administrative districts. The first villages near the volcano have been evacuated and more than 1,400 people have had to leave their homes, said Claudinne Ogaldes, head of the Conred coordination center.
Image: Moises Castillo/AP Photo/picture alliance
Many residents sought shelter in emergency shelters, and classes were suspended in the affected areas. According to Conred spokesperson Valeria Urízar, approximately 29,000 people in several towns have been affected by the eruption, particularly by the ashfall.
Image: Johan Ordonez/AFP
The ash clouds are currently moving about 120 kilometers to the west and northwest and could disrupt air traffic in the departments of Chimaltenango and Suchitepéquez. The highest alert level is in effect for these two regions as well as Escuintla.
Image: Moises Castillo/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance
In a post on X, Guatemala’s Institute of Seismology and Volcanology emphasized that the volcano is currently in its “most intense phase” and that precautionary measures should be taken for areas within a ten-kilometer radius. Hot flows of gas, ash and rock fragments—known as pyroclastic flows—are rushing down the volcano’s slopes.
Image: Josue Decavele/Anadolu/picture alliance
Despite a ban on climbing, tourists are said to have scaled the nearby Acatenango volcano to observe the activity of the active volcano and post videos on social media. Access was later blocked. The “Volcán de Fuego,” which stands about 3,800 meters tall, is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. An eruption in 2018 claimed the lives of about 200 people.
Image: Cristina Chiquin/REUTERS7 images1 | 77 imageshttps://p.dw.com/p/5IJqB
About The Author
