Hundreds of residents living on the slopes of Guatemala's Fuego volcano have been forced to evacuate after a powerful eruption sent rivers of lava and towering plumes of ash into the sky. The volcano, Central America's most active, erupted on Monday morning, with activity intensifying by nightfall, prompting authorities to declare the country's second-highest alert level.
By Tuesday, streams of molten rock were cascading down the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) volcano, located less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Guatemala City. Ash columns rose six kilometers (3.73 miles) into the air, painting the sky a menacing red.
Evacuations Underway
Residents in the affected areas fled voluntarily out of fear, as described by Alejandro Garcia, a 68-year-old local, who told AFP: "Since early morning it was active. That night, the alarm was raised that we needed to evacuate." Garcia recounted terrifying scenes of lava tumbling down the mountainside, prompting villagers to leave their homes.
Firefighters reported transporting at least 350 residents from the villages of El Porvenir and Las Lajitas to the municipality of San Juan Alotenango to the east. Evacuees are being housed in a community hall with makeshift beds, while the number of people moved to other nearby towns remains uncertain.
At the shelter, Lidia Ortiz, 40, expressed ongoing anxiety: "If there were any chance of moving to a different house, it would be better, because you're always afraid since the volcano doesn't give any warning."
Official Response and Warnings
Local authorities in Escuintla, to the south, reported sheltering dozens more families, including children. Conred spokesperson Valeria Urizar urged residents in a social media video: "If an evacuation is ordered or conditions pose a risk to your life, follow the principle of self-evacuation."
The country's Institute of Volcanology issued warnings about hot volcanic debris flows down Fuego's slopes, with communities on the western and southern flanks facing the greatest risk. By Tuesday morning, the volcano had been erupting continuously for 23 hours, though the intensity was beginning to ease.
Resident Sonia Vasquez, 50, noted the unusual severity: "We've already gotten used to having the volcano constantly active, but this time it was really too much."
Impact on Daily Life
Guatemalan authorities urged "precautions with air traffic," though the capital's international airport has so far remained unaffected. The education ministry ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes in communities within two municipalities near the volcano.
Traffic police closed a road encircling the mountain range that connects the south coast with the colonial city of Antigua, a major tourist destination and Unesco World Heritage site. Guatemala lies on the Pacific 'ring of fire' and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
Recent History of Eruptions
This is not the first time Fuego has forced mass evacuations. Last year, more than 500 people were evacuated after the volcano spurted gas and ash, with residents moved to shelters from nearby communities. In 2023, an eruption pushed around 1,200 people to evacuate.
The most devastating recent eruption occurred in 2018, when 215 people were killed and a similar number left missing as rivers of lava poured down Fuego's slopes, destroying a village. The current eruption serves as a stark reminder of the volcano's unpredictable and destructive power, as authorities continue to monitor the situation and respond to the needs of displaced residents.
