Guatemalan volcano eruption – red alert issued

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 20.48

  

The Fuego volcano photographed from San Juan Alotenango in Guatemala. Lava and volcanic smoke clouds are seen rising into the sky. Photo: Moises Castillo/AP/TT

Guatemala's Fuego volcano has erupted.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated after large amounts of lava poured out and flowed down the slopes of the volcano.

A red alert, the highest, has been issued in Guatemala and applies to three areas southwest of the capital Guatemala City, according to the rescue service.

The Fuego volcano is Central America's most active volcano and its eruption began on Monday morning local time.

- You are always on guard because the volcano does not give any warning, says Lidia Ortiz, an evacuated resident.

The country's Institute of Volcanology is warning nearby communities on the western and southern sides of the volcano of the risks of "volcanic material".