Following the eruption of the Fuego volcano near the capital, which led to the emission of lava and the rise of dense clouds of gases and ash. The authorities in Guatemala declared a state of alert at the “danger” level, which is the second level after the red alert. The National Disaster Mitigation Authority in Guatemala reported in a post on the “X” platform on Monday that it had activated the orange (danger) state of alert nationwide due to the activity of the Fuego volcano, explaining that the residents of two small villages located near the volcano had been evacuated.

Published on: 04/08/2026 - 12:49

The authorities in Guatemala declared a state of alert at the “danger” level, which is the second level after the red alert, as soon as the Fuego volcano near the capital erupted, which led to the emission of lava and the rise of thick clouds of gases and ash.

The National Disaster Mitigation Authority in Guatemala announced in a post on the “X” platform on Monday that it had activated the orange (danger) state of alert nationwide due to the activity of the Fuego volcano, explaining that the residents of two small villages located near the volcano had been evacuated.

Read also: Guatemala: Dozens dead, hundreds missing, and thousands displaced, the toll of the Fuego volcano eruption

Fears of a new disaster

Guatemala is located within the "Ring of Fire" region extending around the Pacific Ocean, an area known for its abundance of seismic and volcanic activity. Fuego Volcano is located about 35 kilometers southwest of the Guatemalan capital, Guatemala City, and is considered one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. Its height reaches 3,763 meters, and its eruption began on Monday morning before its activity escalated during the night hours.

Read also: Guatemala: Fuego volcano explosions postpone rescue operations and the death toll rises to 75 people

Over the past years, the Guatemalan authorities have been forced to evacuate residents of areas near the volcano several times due to escalating volcanic emissions. Last year, more than 500 people were evacuated following the rise of gases and ash from Fuego, and about 1,200 people were transferred to safe places in 2023 for the same reason.

The volcano witnessed a bloody disaster in 2018, when flows of lava and hot materials led to the death of 215 people and the loss of about 200 others, after sweeping away a village located on its slopes.

France 24/AFP

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