Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire erupted overnight, forcing the evacuation of nearly 300 families and raising concerns for around 30,000 others in surrounding areas, reports AP.
The eruption sent gas and ash into the sky, leading to school closures and the shutdown of a key road. The 12,300-foot (3,763-meter) volcano, one of Central America’s most active, last erupted in June 2023.
Disaster agency secretary Claudinne Ugalde said officials were working to move people to safety or encourage them to leave voluntarily. The greatest danger comes from lahars—fast-moving flows of ash, rock, and debris that can engulf entire communities.
A deadly eruption in 2018 claimed 194 lives and left 234 people missing. Isaac García, a resident of El Porvenir, recalled the devastation of that disaster. On Monday, he and his family left early after hearing the latest warnings. “We were a bit concerned because the volcano became active a few years ago,” he said from a shelter in San Juan Alotenango, where he arrived with his mother, wife, three children, and other relatives.
Guatemala’s disaster agency warned that while current activity remains moderate, it is expected to intensify. The volcano stands 33 miles (53 km) from the capital, keeping officials on high alert.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
