GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala's Fuego volcano, considered by seismologists to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is currently erupting. Authorities in the Central American state have already evacuated nearly 300 families but warn that another 30,000 people in the area, located some 60 kilometers from the capital, could be at risk.

The eruption began Sunday night and so far no casualties have been reported. Authorities have closed all schools in the vicinity and a key road connecting several communities in the area.

Experts say the greatest danger from the volcano is not the eruption itself but the lahars, a 'tsunami' of ash, rock, mud and debris that can bury entire villages. At 3,763 meters high, the last eruption of 'Chi'gag' — which would translate from the native Cachiquel into Spanish as "the place where the fire is" — was in June 2023. A previous eruption in 2018 killed 194 people and left 234 others missing. The Fuego volcano has only been inactive for 50 days, according to the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh).

Isaac García, 43, a resident of the town of El Porvenir on the slopes of the volcano, had that tragedy in mind when he and his family decided to heed the warnings of the authorities and flee their home. The García family has gone to the public shelter opened in San Juan Alotenango with his mother, wife and three children, as well as other family members.

The flow of volcanic material is moderate but is expected to increase, Guatemala's disaster agency said early this morning. Airlines are also operating with restrictions because ash spewing from 'Chi'gag' can reach up to 7,000 meters, according to Insivumeh. — Euronews