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Guatemalan authorities declared a red alert, the highest level of danger, on Tuesday for the areas affected by the eruption of the Fuego volcano, located 35 km from the country's capital.
The most active volcano in Central America entered an eruptive phase on Monday morning, and by nightfall, its intensity increased with the expulsion of lava and large columns of gas and ash.
No casualties have been reported, but the explosions forced the evacuation of five hundred people.
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for the departments of Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango, and Escuintla, the institution reported on its X account.
1.6 million people live in those regions. However, for now, the ash fall is only affecting about five municipalities.
Likewise, despite the increased alert, authorities reopened a road leading to the city of Antigua, the country's main tourist destination.
Guatemala City's international airport remains open.
The executive secretary of Conred, Claudinne Ogaldes, asked families who believe they are at risk to voluntarily move to the shelters set up in the area.
"In those spaces, you will find care, support, and safe conditions while volcanic activity continues," she added in a message on X.
According to the Institute of Volcanology, 34 earthquakes were recorded in Guatemala over the last 24 hours, most of them with epicenters in the Pacific Ocean, as well as in areas near the coast of Escuintla.
[Publicidad]