Guatemala authorities have begun evacuating residents from the slopes of the volcano “Volcan de Fuego“ due to a new eruption, the Associated Press reports, BTA reports.
Juan Laureano, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Coordinator, said that at least 594 people were evacuated to shelters in five municipalities in the departments of Chimaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepéquez. He added that given the increased activity of the volcano, the number of evacuees is expected to continue to grow.
The authorities have also closed a main highway in the area and suspended classes in 39 schools as a precautionary measure.
At a height of 3,763 meters, “Volcano de Fuego“ is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. It is located about 53 kilometers from the capital of Guatemala.
In one of its deadliest eruptions in 2018, 194 people died and 234 were declared missing.