After the most active volcano in Central America spewed gases and ash thousands of meters into the sky, Guatemalan authorities have mandated the evacuation of hundreds of people.
Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) emitted hot gases and volcanic matter up to 7 kilometers (4 miles) from the eruption site, according to an emergency bulletin released late on Thursday by the nation’s National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED).
Residents of communities close to the volcano, which is 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Guatemala City’s capital, were instructed to relocate to shelters.
According to The Associated Press news agency, at least 594 people have been relocated to shelters in five communities in the Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepequez areas, according to Juan Laureano, a CONRED spokesperson. The number of evacuees was anticipated to increase as a result of the volcanic activity.
According to CONRED, the government has closed a road connecting the south of the nation to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua, and suspended classes at 39 schools.
Following the volcano’s eruption, images of fiery lava flowing from the volcano and a raging stream of ash, rocks, and water accompanied by the eruption.
Several communities located to the northwest, west, and southwest of the volcano were being affected by the combination of ash and gas spewing into the sky, according to CONRED.
The volcanic activity is expected to last for 40 hours, according to Guatemala’s National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH).
According to reports, ash clouds have the ability to affect air navigation and can reach altitudes of between 3, 000 and 7, 000 meters (2 to 4 miles).
One of Central America’s most active volcanos, the 3, 763-meter (12, 350-foot) Volcan de Fuego, has caused a number of mass evacuations in recent months due to eruptions, most recently in March.
Source: Aljazeera
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