A state of emergency was declared following the sudden eruption of one of Central America’s most perilous volcanoes. Volcán de Fuego, renowned for its high activity levels, erupted in Guatemala on Monday morning and escalated throughout the day, emitting molten lava, massive ash clouds, and smoke into the atmosphere.
Authorities promptly raised the country’s second-highest emergency alert and initiated evacuations from the vicinity. The Guatemalan disaster agency Conred announced a nationwide orange alert due to the volcano’s eruption, evacuating two nearby villages.
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 destination in Central America. The volcano is known for its nearly constant low-level activity, releasing ash, smoke, and minor explosions every 15-20 minutes.
While major eruptions are less common, this event marks the ninth significant eruption since 2015. Guatemalan broadcaster Crelosa is currently live streaming the eruption, providing real-time coverage. Conred, the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction in Guatemala, affirmed the hazardous conditions in the area earlier today.
The notoriously active Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala initiated its eruption on Monday morning, marking the third major eruption in four years for the region’s most active volcano. Fuego previously erupted twice in 2023, leading to the urgent evacuation of about 1,700 individuals for their safety.
In 2018, the volcano also erupted, resulting in the tragic loss of 215 lives as lava flowed into a nearby village.