Thousands flee when Guatemalan volcano erupts: NPR

Thousands of Guatemalans evacuate their homes when the fire volcano, or fire volcano, makes its appearance again near the city of Antigua.

The volcano erupted several times this year. In June, more than 100 people were killed during a violent eruption that spread lava, ashes and rocks to neighboring villages.

After this deadly event, government agencies were accused of failing to adequately respond to warnings, while one official said local residents had not considered evacuation warnings. .

Now, as the volcano continues to erupt, evacuations are underway.

Nearly 4,000 people have been evacuated from the disaster area, more than 2,000 of whom are housed in shelters, the government agency responsible for natural disasters said.

Whether local communities evacuate or not, it is up to local leaders and residents to decide, Prensa Libre, a Guatemalan newspaper. The newspaper writes that, according to authorities, all affected communities were warned of volcanic activity Sunday.

The evacuations occur after the detection of new lava flows and after several hours of increasing concern on the part of the groups monitoring the activity of the volcano.

On Sunday, the volcano recorded more than a dozen weak or moderate explosions per hour, raising concern about dangerous lava flows.

Now these concerns have become a real risk. The glowing eruptions rise to 1,000 meters (over 3,000 feet) above the crater. The volcano has created a column of ash extending over nearly 3 miles above sea level and multiple lava flows, the longest of which is over a mile and a half long.

Ash is heading to Guatemala City, reports the Associated Press.

Guatemalan authorities claim that it is the fifth eruption of the fire volcano since the beginning of the year.