Guatemala: Fuego volcano remains active June 7-8 /update 4

Event

The Volcán de Fuego released more ash and a dangerous mix of ash, rock, and volcanic gases (pyroclastic flow) beginning late Thursday, June 7 (local time), showing signs of increasing activity and prompting a new warning from the Guatemalan government. Flight disruptions at Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport (GUA) - located approximately 40 km (25 mi) northwest of the volcano - are possible in the coming hours and days due to the ash in the atmosphere; the airport had been temporarily closed due to ash following the June 3 eruption.

Furthermore, ash fall has been reported in more than half of Guatemalan territory, leading to fears that it could hinder agricultural activities and eventually lead to food shortages.

Evacuation orders remain in place, as do red alerts issued by Guatemala's emergency response agency CONRED for the three departments that surround the volcano: Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepéquez.

Context

The catastrophic June 3 eruption killed at least 109 people and nearly 200 others are still missing. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations, hindered by heavy rain and consequent landslides in recent days, continue. More than 12,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas and an estimated 1.7 million people have been affected in total by the eruption.

The Volcán de Fuego, one of the most active volcanoes in Latin America, has been in a state of increased activity since 2015, with some 15 eruptive phases per year. The June 3 eruption was the most intense in more than 40 years. CONRED has been criticized for not warning the population of the impending eruption despite receiving warnings from INSIVUMEH (National Institute for Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology).

Advice

Individuals present in Guatemala are advised to avoid the above areas, confirm flight and other travel reservations, closely monitor the situation, adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders), and wear respiratory masks and covering clothing to protect skin from ash fall in affected areas.