Thousands Evacuated as Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano Erupts

Guatemalan authorities have evacuated approximately 1,000 residents after the Fuego volcano, Central America’s most active volcano, erupted on Sunday, spewing lava, ash, and rocks. The eruption prompted immediate action to ensure the safety of nearby communities, with residents seeking refuge in temporary shelters.

The Fuego volcano, located just 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Guatemala City, began showing signs of increased activity early Sunday. Witnesses reported hearing loud rumblings followed by a powerful eruption. “We heard the noise and then a strong explosion. We trust in God that the volcano will calm down soon,” said Manuel Cobox, 46, who fled his home with his wife and three daughters, as reported by AFP.

Juan Laureano, a spokesperson for Guatemala’s disaster coordination agency, Conred, confirmed that around 125 families—approximately 900 people—were safely evacuated from the village of El Porvenir. The government has also suspended local school activities and closed a key road connecting southern Guatemala to the colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist destination.

Guatemala, situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is no stranger to seismic and volcanic activity. The Fuego volcano has a history of deadly eruptions, including a devastating event in 2018 that claimed 215 lives and left hundreds missing. Rivers of lava engulfed the village of San Miguel Los Lotes, leaving a lasting scar on the region.

“People didn’t believe the magnitude back then, and a tragedy struck,” recalled Cobox, who works on a pig farm near the volcano. Amanda Santos, a 58-year-old housekeeper, shared her fears, saying, “When I heard the sirens, memories of 2018 came rushing back. That’s why we’re afraid. Many people died.”

The Fuego volcano, standing at 3,763 meters (12,346 feet), also erupted in 2023, forcing the evacuation of 1,200 people. Authorities remain on high alert, monitoring pyroclastic flows—fast-moving currents of hot gas, ash, and volcanic debris that can devastate everything in their path.

In response to the eruption, Conred issued an alert to coordinate emergency measures and ensure public safety. The state-run Volcanology Institute also warned air traffic to exercise caution due to a spreading ash cloud.

As the situation unfolds, residents remain hopeful but vigilant, praying for the volcano’s activity to subside and for their communities to be spared from further destruction.