Guatemala volcano eruption sends lava spewing into the air

The Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupted on Monday, prompting the evacuation of at least two villages located on its slopes. Fuego, recognized as one of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere, began emitting lava and ash on the same day. Pyroclastic currents, consisting of rivers of gas, volcanic ash, and rock fragments, continued to flow down the volcano's southeastern slope early on Tuesday, according to the government agency responsible for monitoring its activity.

The disaster management agency, Conred, issued a nationwide orange alert, the second highest on the scale, and cautioned residents to be prepared for potential further pyroclastic flows and ash clouds. Conred advised individuals to keep windows and doors closed, and school lessons were suspended in areas close to the volcano. Fuego is situated just 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of Antigua, a city renowned for its colonial-era architecture and popular among tourists.

The active stratovolcano has also gained popularity among hikers. Conred cautioned both visitors and locals to avoid approaching or remaining in areas at risk, particularly on the volcano's slopes. In 2018, more than 200 people were killed when Fuego erupted, many of them caught in the swift-moving pyroclastic flows that raced down the Las Lajas ravine.