Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanos, erupted Sunday (June 3), killing an estimated 25 people, including three children, and injuring more than 300.
Volcán de Fuego, whose name means the “Volcano of Fire,” spewed lava and thick clouds of smoke nearly 6 miles into the air, according to CONRED, the government’s national disaster management agency. It’s the volcano’s second eruption this year.
Some 3,100 people have been evacuated from the affected areas, and CONRED’s director Sergio García Cabañas said the explosion could affect 1.7 million people. Cabañas said because the town of El Rodeo was “buried,” rescue workers haven’t been able to reach the village of La Libertad, where there may be more casualties.
La Aurora International Airport, which is 25 miles away from the eruption site, had to shut down its only runway because it was covered in ash.
