Guatemala's Fuego volcano has registered an increase in activity, leading authorities to declare an orange alert and evacuate around 400 people from nearby communities. The volcano, situated between the regions of Escuintla, Chimaltenango, and Sacatepéquez, began showing heightened activity on Monday.
Residents from communities in close proximity to the volcano were moved to temporary shelters in Alotenango and Escuintla city. Schools located near Fuego have been closed as a precautionary measure against potential ash fall and further volcanic activity. Emergency services are advising residents to leave their homes for their safety.
This eruption follows a violent event in 2018 where an eruption of the Fuego volcano resulted in hundreds of fatalities. Fuego, an active stratovolcano, is located approximately 10 miles west of Antigua, a city known for its colonial-era architecture and popularity among tourists and hikers.