Guatemala has begun evacuating residents living on the slopes of the active Volcano of Fire following a powerful eruption on Thursday that sent plumes of hot gas and ash into the air, triggering fears of a repeat of past disasters.
According to Juan Laureano, spokesperson for the National Disaster Reduction Coordinator (CONRED), at least 594 people from five communities across Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepequez departments were relocated to emergency shelters. He warned that the number of evacuees is expected to rise as volcanic activity continues.
Among the evacuees is 28-year-old Wilver Guerra from El Porvenir, who took refuge in a shelter in Chimaltenango. “At first everything was normal, only fire in the morning when the volcano’s activity increased a bit, but it’s OK, better to evacuate in time,” he said.
In response to the eruption, authorities have shut down a major highway and suspended classes in 39 schools near the affected area.
The 12,300-foot (3,763-metre) Volcano of Fire, located 33 miles (53 km) from Guatemala City, is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes. It last made global headlines in 2018 when an eruption killed 194 people and left 234 others missing.
Swifteradio.com
