Guatemala volcano eruption sends lava spewing into the air
The Fuego stratovolcano is one of the most active in Central America and popular with hikers.
Guatemala's Fuego volcano has erupted, spewing lava into the air and prompting the evacuation of at least two nearby villages.
The volcano, recognized as one of the most active in the Western Hemisphere, began emitting lava and ash on Monday. By early Tuesday, pyroclastic currents—dense mixtures of gas, volcanic ash, and rock fragments—were observed flowing down Fuego's southeastern flank, according to the government agency monitoring its activity.
In response, the disaster management agency, Conred, declared a nationwide orange alert, the second-highest level. Conred advised residents to prepare for potential additional pyroclastic flows and large ash clouds, urging them to keep windows and doors shut. Schools in the vicinity of the volcano have also canceled classes.
Fuego is situated approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of Antigua, a city renowned for its colonial architecture and status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting numerous tourists. The active stratovolcano is also a popular destination for hikers.
Conred has issued a warning to both visitors and locals, advising them to avoid approaching or lingering in hazardous areas, particularly on the volcano's slopes.
A previous eruption of Fuego in 2018 resulted in over 200 fatalities, with many victims caught in rapidly moving pyroclastic flows that descended the Las Lajas ravine.