Evacuees Return Home as Fuego Volcano Eruption Ends in Guatemala

After a 50-hour eruption, Guatemala's Fuego volcano has returned to normal activity levels, signaling the end of the event that forced the evacuation of over 1,700 residents from nearby villages. The National Institute of Volcanology announced the eruption's conclusion on Wednesday, paving the way for displaced families to return to their homes.

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After 50 hours, the eruption is over.

The Fuego volcano, located about 35 kilometers from the capital, Guatemala City, is the most active in Central America. Its eruption began Monday, intensifying overnight with lava flows cascading down its slopes and significant columns of gas and ash rising into the atmosphere. This activity led authorities to declare a maximum alert and initiate evacuations in the most vulnerable areas. Fortunately, no casualties or significant material damage have been reported.

Claudinne Ogaldes, head of the national disaster coordination agency Conred, confirmed in a press conference that the "visible decrease" in volcanic activity made the return of residents to their villages safe. While the volcano's activity has subsided, Ogaldes cautioned that threats such as volcanic material flows and ash dispersion persist, necessitating continued precautions for air traffic.

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We live with the volcano, we know when it gets angry and when it is calm.

For many residents living near Fuego, like farmer Bernabé Marroquin, living with the volcano's activity has become routine. "We live with the volcano, we know when it gets angry and when it is calm," he said, noting his home has never been directly affected. However, others, like Isabel Pérez, who sought refuge in a shelter, expressed lingering fear and a desire for relocation to a safer area. The memory of a violent 2018 eruption, which caused 215 deaths and nearly as many disappearances, remains a stark reminder of the volcano's destructive potential.

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When will we finally be safe?