Fuego Volcano Eruption To Prompt Mass Evacuation in Guatemala
Eruption of the Fuego volcano in the early hours of Monday, March 10, 2025. Photo: EFE
March 10, 2025 Hour: 11:59 am
This volcano’s last eruption occurred in June 2018, resulting in the deaths of over 400 people and the destruction of several towns.
On Monday, Guatemala’s Civil Protection recommended the “immediate” evacuation of 30,000 people at risk due to the ongoing eruption of the Fuego volcano in the southern and western regions of the Central American country.
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Claudinne Ogaldes, the secretary of the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED), stated that 282 families are currently housed in a shelter in the town of San Juan Alotenango, in the province of Sacatepequez. However, she warned that due to the increased volcanic activity, which affects the provinces of Escuintla, Sacatepequez, and Chimaltenango, 30,000 residents are at risk.
The official recommended that these residents be evacuated “immediately” to prevent harm from the eruption of the 3,763-meter-high volcano, which is the most active in Central America. Ogaldes announced that a shelter has been prepared in the municipality of Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa.
CONRED reported that at least 125 families from the communities of Las Lajitas and the hamlet of El Porvenir had been relocated to a municipal hall in San Juan Alotenango.
Due to the volcanic eruption, the Ministry of Education announced the suspension of classes in the municipalities of Alotenango (Sacatepequez), Escuintla and Siquinala (Escuintla), and San Pedro Yepocapa (Chimaltenango).
Airlines have also been warned about the volcanic activity, as the ash emissions have reached up to 7,000 meters in altitude, according to reports from the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (Insivumeh).
The 3,763-meter-high volcano had been inactive for about 50 days before erupting again on Sunday night. The last major eruption of the Fuego volcano, located approximately 50 kilometers west of the capital, occurred in June 2018, resulting in the deaths of over 400 people and the destruction of several towns.