Guatemala issues orange alert as Fuego volcano erupts
Residents of two villages evacuated after powerful eruption sends lava flowing and ash some six kilometres into the sky.
GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemalan authorities have issued the second-highest emergency alert level after the Fuego volcano, the most active in Central America, erupted powerfully, forcing the evacuation of residents in several nearby villages.
The volcano began erupting on Monday morning, with activity intensifying towards nightfall as it spewed lava flows and large ash plumes reaching about six kilometres into the air.
"An orange danger alert has been declared nationwide following the eruption of the Fuego volcano," Guatemala's disaster coordination agency, Conred, said on the X platform.
The alert is one level below red, which signals the most serious state of emergency.
Officials began evacuating residents from two villages near the volcano on Monday. Fuego lies about 35km from the capital, Guatemala City.
Footage released by emergency teams showed the powerful eruption turning the clouds red as lava streamed down the slopes of the 3,763m volcano.
Guatemala's volcanology institute warned of flows of hot volcanic debris that could descend along Fuego's slopes, with communities on the western and southern sides of the mountain facing the highest risk.
The Education Ministry ordered face-to-face classes suspended in several communities across two municipalities near the volcano as a precaution.
Traffic police also closed the road ringing the mountainous area, which links the southern coast with the colonial city of Antigua, a major tourist destination recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The volcanology institute reported that ash plumes rose beyond 6,000m, causing ashfall in several nearby communities. – AFP
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