Guatemala on high alert as Fuego volcano eruption forces mass evacuations VIDEO

Guatemalan authorities remained on high alert on August 4 after the eruption of the Fuego volcano, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, prompted the evacuation of several communities and displaced thousands of residents, Associated Press reports.

Around 1,700 people continued to shelter in evacuation centers, with authorities ordering residents to remain away from their homes until conditions improve, according to Guatemala's National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED).

Officials raised the alert level to red in the departments of Sacatepéquez, Escuintla and Chimaltenango, where ashfall has affected approximately 29,000 people and forced the closure of schools.

Authorities warned that the next 72 hours would be critical, as volcanic mudflows stretching up to 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) continue descending the volcano's slopes. Forecast rainfall is expected to heighten the risk of additional lahars, or volcanic mudflows.

Although the mudflows have not yet reached nearby villages, no homes or other structures have been reported damaged or under immediate threat.

Claudinne Ogaldes, executive secretary of CONRED, urged residents in the affected municipalities to "cover their water deposits and use face masks" to protect themselves from volcanic ash.

The eruption began on August 3 morning, sending towering clouds of gas and ash into the atmosphere as lava and pyroclastic flows cascaded down the volcano's slopes. The volcano continued emitting ash and mud on August 4.

Among those evacuated were about 250 residents of El Porvenir and the nearby hamlet of Las Lajitas. CONRED also warned that ash could spread to additional neighboring communities.

As a precaution, authorities closed National Route 14, a major highway running near the volcano, while the Education Ministry suspended classes in surrounding towns.

Fuego, also known as the Volcano of Fire, has a history of deadly eruptions. In June 2018, one of its most devastating eruptions killed hundreds of people and buried an entire village. Another eruption last year also triggered precautionary evacuations.

By Vafa Guliyeva