Kathmandu— Guatemala remained on high alert Tuesday after evacuating hundreds of villagers following an eruption by the Fuego volcano. The country’s disaster management agency, CONRED, reported that 659 people were relocated from eight nearby villages and are currently housed in shelters as a precautionary measure. The eruption began Monday morning with videos showing clouds of gas and ash above the volcano.

Evacuation Efforts Intensify

Claudinne Ogaldes, executive secretary of CONRED, stated that approximately ten more communities are expected to be evacuated throughout Tuesday. Among those already relocated were around 250 people from El Porvenir and the hamlet of Las Lajitas. The agency warned residents in nearby towns about potential ashfall.

National Route 14, a major highway passing close to the volcano, was closed as a safety measure. Additionally, the Education Ministry suspended classes in affected areas.

Historical Precedents and Caution

The current situation is reminiscent of previous eruptions that have caused significant damage and loss of life. In June 2018, a major eruption resulted in hundreds of fatalities and the destruction of an entire village, impacting up to 1.7 million people according to authorities. Another eruption last year prompted preventive evacuations.

Given this history, CONRED is taking proactive steps to ensure public safety.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.