Volcán de Fuego enters a phase of reduced activity after 50 hours of eruption

The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) reported this Wednesday on its official social media accounts that the activity of Volcán de Fuego, located between the Guatemalan departments of Escuintla, Sacatepéquez, and Chimaltenango, is in a phase of gradual reduction, which has allowed part of the evacuated population to voluntarily return to their homes.

During the emergency, the Conred system assisted 1,696 people, equivalent to 440 families, who were evacuated to five shelters set up in Escuintla and Sacatepéquez. Currently, 616 people, corresponding to 194 families, remain in the shelters.

The institution indicated that the municipalities of San Pedro Yepocapa, Escuintla, and the sugar industry sector are helping with transportation for the safe and orderly return of evacuees. It also noted that the Conred system teams remain deployed in the three affected departments until volcanic activity returns to normal levels.

Conred urged the public to stay informed through official channels, review their family emergency plan, keep their 72-hour emergency bag ready, and follow the self-evacuation principle if conditions require it.

Volcanology Institute Confirms End of Eruption

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (Insivumeh) reported that the eruptive activity of the Fuego volcano ended this Wednesday, after 50 hours of activity that started on Monday.

The institution indicated that the volcano returned to normal activity levels following the eruption that forced the declaration of a red alert in the departments of Escuintla, Sacatepéquez, and Chimaltenango.

However, it warned that threats from volcanic material avalanches descending through the ravines and from ash dispersion still persist, so it recommended activating risk management and response protocols, especially for air navigation.