Guatemala's Fuego Volcano erupted violently, emitting lava, ash, and hot pyroclastic flows into surrounding areas. Experts indicate it has entered a "critical explosion" phase. Authorities are urgently evacuating over 1,600 people, impacting more than 29,000 residents.
On 4 Aug 2026 GMT+7, international news agencies reported that Guatemala's Fuego Volcano erupted violently, prompting authorities to evacuate at least 1,699 people from nearby towns and communities after the eruption reached a "critical explosion" phase, with pyroclastic flows descending valleys and riverbeds around the volcano.
Edwin Rojas, director of Guatemala's National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology, revealed that volcanic ash plumes rose over 5,000 meters above sea level and spread as far as 120 kilometers, with Fuego's activity remaining in the critical explosion phase.
Guatemala's National Disaster Reduction Coordination Office stated that over 29,000 people have been affected by ashfall covering the area, while the Civil Aviation Authority issued warnings to pilots about volcanic ash affecting airspace to the west and southwest of the volcano, extending to the Mexico border. Nonetheless, Guatemala's main international airports continue normal operations.
Meanwhile, at least three districts have declared a red alert—the highest level—to expedite evacuations from hazardous zones to shelters. At least 18 communities have been affected by smoke and ashfall so far, but no lava flows have entered residential areas or caused damage to homes.
Fuego Volcano is among the most active in Central America, located about 50 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, the nation's capital. Its major eruption in 2018 resulted in hundreds of deaths and missing persons.
Source: AP