Guatemala's Volcano of Fire Erupts, Prompting Evacuations for Thousands

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Guatemala's Volcano of Fire Erupts, Prompting Evacuations for Thousands

9 months ago

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Guatemala's Volcano of Fire Erupts, Prompting Evacuations for Thousands

Credited from: NEWSWEEK

Guatemala's Volcano of Fire erupted overnight, resulting in the evacuation of nearly 300 families while officials have alerted an additional 30,000 people of potential risks. No immediate casualties have been reported following the volcanic activity.

The CBS News indicates that the volcano is a significant threat, known for its explosive history. Standing at 12,300 feet, it is one of Central America's most active volcanoes, having last erupted in June 2023. A devastating eruption in 2018 resulted in 194 deaths and left 234 people missing.

The eruption released gas and ash into the atmosphere, prompting nearby schools to suspend operations and vital roads to close, as reported by Newsweek. The Los Angeles Times noted that while the flow of volcanic material is currently deemed weak to moderate, authorities expect it to escalate.

Cautious measures have been taken, with locals being urged to evacuate or self-evacuate as threats from lahars—destructive flows of ash, rock, mud, and debris—pose a significant danger to surrounding communities, according to disaster agency secretary Claudinne Ugalde, as reported by India Times.