A state of emergency has been declared following the sudden eruption of one of Central America’s most hazardous volcanoes, Volcán de Fuego. Known for its high activity and unpredictability, the volcano in Guatemala began erupting on Monday morning, escalating as the day progressed, spewing out molten lava, ash, and smoke.
Authorities swiftly responded by issuing the country’s second-highest emergency alert and initiating the evacuation of residents from the vicinity. The Guatemalan disaster agency, Conred, announced a nationwide orange alert due to the volcano’s eruption, evacuating two nearby villages.
Guatemala, situated on the Pacific’s volatile “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences seismic and volcanic disturbances. Last year, 500 individuals were evacuated when Fuego emitted ash and smoke, prompting the closure of schools and a road leading to the city of Antigua.
The volcano, located in the Sierra Madre mountain range about 16km west of Antigua, is currently displaying heightened activity, with lava streaming down its southwest slope, as reported by Conred. Fuego, translating to “volcano of fire” in Spanish, is known for its nearly continuous low-level activity, emitting ash, smoke, and minor explosions every 15-20 minutes.
This eruption marks the ninth significant event since 2015, emphasizing the volcano’s ongoing activity. Conred confirmed the hazardous conditions in the area, underscoring the volatile nature of the Volcán de Fuego. It is the third major eruption in the past four years for Central America’s most active volcano, with previous eruptions in 2023 resulting in the evacuation of approximately 1,700 individuals for their safety.
In 2018, a volcanic eruption claimed the lives of 215 people when lava inundated a nearby village, highlighting the destructive potential of Fuego’s eruptions. The situation remains under close monitoring as the volcano continues to exhibit increased activity.
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