Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire erupted on Tuesday, spewing hot gas and ash high into the sky and prompting authorities to evacuate residents from nearby communities.
Evacuations and Impact
- At least 594 people have been relocated to shelters in the departments of Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepequez.
- Evacuations were carried out from five communities deemed at risk due to the volcano’s activity.
Juan Laureano, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Reduction Coordinator, stated, "We will continue to monitor the situation."
Resident Experiences
Wilver Guerra, a 28-year-old resident of El Porvenir who was evacuated, shared his experience:
- "At first everything was normal. Only fire in the morning when the volcano’s activity increased a bit. But it is okay; better to evacuate in time."
- Guerra had been observing the volcano closely since last week but did not expect an eruption so soon. He noted, "I have been watching it since last week because I saw some changes, but I did not think it would erupt like this."
Daily Life Disruptions
The eruption has significantly disrupted daily life for those living near the volcano:
- Authorities have closed off access along one stretch of road leading to the base of Fuego.
- Classes have been suspended at 39 schools nearby due to volcanic ash falling over them.
Maria Elena Lopez de Leon, owner of a small restaurant near Fuego Volcano, expressed her frustration:
- "It is very bad because we cannot go out or work," referring to the closure of her restaurant since Monday evening due to volcanic ash covering the windows.
Ongoing Assessment
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to assess the impact of the eruption and make decisions about further evacuations or other measures needed to protect public safety.
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