Guatemala issues second-highest ‘danger’ alert after Fuego volcano erupts

Fuego, Central America's most active volcano, has undergone a major eruption prompting Guatemala to activate its second-highest emergency alert level nationwide. The disaster agency Conred issued an orange "danger" alert applicable across the country. Two villages near the volcano were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The eruption produced dramatic visual effects, with emergency service footage showing clouds turned red by the volcanic activity and lava flowing down the volcano's slopes. Ash plumes rose approximately six kilometres into the atmosphere. The volcano, standing 3,763 metres high, is situated only 40 kilometres from Guatemala City, the nation's capital. According to the country's Institute of Volcanology, the volcano is progressing toward a more explosive phase.

Guatemala's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire subjects the nation to frequent volcanic and seismic events. Fuego has triggered mass evacuations multiple times in recent years. A 2023 eruption displaced approximately 1,200 people, while a 2018 eruption killed 194 people and left 234 others missing and presumed dead after superheated lava and ash buried the villages of San Miguel Los Lotes and El Rodeo. The most recent eruption prior to the current event occurred last year, resulting in the relocation of more than 500 people to shelters and school closures.