Guatemala volcano eruption: 25 people killed and hundreds injured

Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupted violently on Sunday 3^rd of June 2018. At least 25 people were killed (including three children) and hundreds were injured.

The 3,763m. volcano is one of the most active in Central America, and is located 44 km. southwest of Guatemala City, about 16 km. near the popular tourist destination of Antigua Guatemala. More than 1 million people in nearby communities are affected by the eruption, according to the national organization in charge to reduce disasters CONRED (Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres). Guatemala's disaster agency said 3,100 people had evacuated nearby communities. 

Officials said the fatalities were concentrated in three towns: El Rodeo, Alotenango and San Miguel los Lotes. "Unfortunately El Rodeo was buried and we haven't been able to reach the La Libertad village because of the lava and maybe there are people that died there too," said Mr Cabana, the general secretary of CONRED. Consuelo Hernandez, a woman who barely survived lava pouring in corn field states: ''Not everyone escaped, I think they were buried''.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said on Facebook that the national emergency system has already been put in place. He added he was considering declaring a state of emergency in the areas of Chimaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepequez. Workers and guests were evacuated from La Reunion golf club near Antigua as a black cloud of ash rose from just beyond the club's limits. The lava river was running on the other side of the volcano. Officials said the volcanic eruption still presented a danger and could cause more mud and pyroclastic flows. 

In addition, volcanic ash has reached parts of the capital city of Guatemala because of a change in wind according to David de Leon, spokesman for the National Disaster Prevention Authority.