Volcano eruption in Guatemala prompts evacuations

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The volcano erupted on Monday night and has been spewing gas and ash into the air since then. Authorities closed schools and roads in the area shortly after. If the volcano's activity increases, more residents living in three jurisdictions will need to be evacuated.

By far the biggest danger for residents living in the crater area are lahars. They are a mixture of ash, rock, mud and debris that can bury entire towns. All residents still remember the devastating eruption in 2018, which killed 194 people. Therefore most residents here still heed the warnings of local authorities and decide to evacuate voluntarily.

The current eruption is not among the strongest and the flow of volcanic material is still weak, but the Guatemalan disaster agency expects it to increase in the coming days. All evacuated citizens have been moved to shelters where they have been provided with water and food.

The volcano is located 53 kilometers from the capital of Guatemala, which already has poor air quality. It is 3,763 meters high and usually erupts every four to five years. In addition to the volcano, there are two other active volcanoes in Guatemala: Santiaguito in the west and Pacaya in the south.

Source:CNN