Pyroclastic flows cause evacuations at Fuego
Antigua, June 5, 2025
Guatemala’s Fuego volcano experienced a paroxysmal eruption overnight, producing lava fountains up to 300 m high, lava flows, and several pyroclastic flows that reportedly reached near the base of the volcano.
The national volcano institute INSIVUMEH issued a warning in a Spanish-language bulletin, shared only as an image on social media — making translation difficult and limiting access to critical information, especially for foreign tourists. This reflects a broader global issue in emergency communication.
Later, the civil protection agency CONRED released a translatable bulletin confirming pyroclastic density currents in the Seca, Ceniza, and Las Lajas ravines. These were classified as weak to moderate but could intensify. Ashfall affected several towns west and northwest of the volcano, particularly Acatenango and San Pedro Yepocapa.
The situation remains critical in southern areas. Emergency teams are patrolling and monitoring local communities. Road RN 14 was closed due to the threat of pyroclastic flows crossing it.
CONRED urged the tourism authority INGUAT and local governments to restrict access to nearby Acatenango volcano. 500 residents were evacuated. Both residents and tourists were advised to stay informed and keep a 72-hour emergency bag ready in case evacuation becomes necessary.