Volcano in Guatemala spews ash column about 7 km high, maximum alert level declared

The Fuego volcano, one of the most active in the world, has begun erupting in Guatemala. The country has already declared a maximum alert level due to the eruption.

An orange alert level was initially declared, but due to continued ash emissions and a massive lava eruption, the threat level was raised to maximum.

According to the National Institute of Seismology, changes in Fuego’s volcanic activity were recorded on August 2. The eruption began on August 3. The volcano spewed an ash column about 7 km high, which is being carried 120 km to the west and northwest. Lava flows have traveled 7 km, posing a threat to nearby settlements, the institute’s press service reported on X.

The city of Antigua, with a population of 60,000, is located near the Fuego volcano. The last eruption with human casualties occurred 8 years ago, when, according to official data, 113 people died and 329 went missing.