Route in Guatemala is closed due to the eruption of the Fuego volcano, the most active in Central America

A highway that connects the south and the center of Guatemala It remained closed preventively this Sunday after the eruption of the Fuego volcano, the most active in Central America.

The route was closed for “prevention” after the descent of material down the slopes of the volcano due to the eruption since Saturday night and due to the fall of ash, Juan Carlos Aquino, spokesman for the Highway Police, told reporters.

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The closure is maintained in two sections of the RN-14 highway in the jurisdiction of the municipalities of Escuintla and Alotenango, close to the colonial city of Antigua, the country’s main tourist center, the official said.

El Fuego, 3,763 meters high, began a new eruptive phase on Saturday with strong explosions, expulsion of ash, lava flows and descent of burning volcanic material (pyroclastic flow).

According to the local institute of volcanology, the eruption maintains an “incandescent fountain” of lava that exceeds 300 meters above the crater and a column of ash that rises more than two kilometers from the top of the volcano, located between the departments ( provinces) of Escuintla, Chimaltenango and Sacatepéquez.

The scientific entity also warned of the possible descent of more avalanches of burning material through the ravines of the volcano.

The Fuego volcano erupts, seen from Alotenango, a municipality in the department of Sacatepéquez 65 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City on December 11, 2022. (Photo by Johan ORDONEZ / AFP) (JOHAN ORDONEZ /)

Rodolfo García, spokesman for Civil Protection, told AFP that until now it has not been necessary to carry out evacuations and that they are monitoring the evolution of the activity with leaders of the populations near the volcano.

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He added that, due to the wind, several areas could be affected by ash fallout, including Guatemala citythe capital, about 35 km from the massif.

The Fire It is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America and its eruption, on June 3, 2018, caused an avalanche of burning material that devastated the San Miguel Los Lotes community, in Escuintla and part of a highway in Alotenango, leaving 215 dead. and a similar number of missing persons.

In Guatemala The Santiaguito (west) and Pacaya (south) volcanoes are also active.

Source: Elcomercio