Guatemala's Fuego volcano eruption ends, residents return home

Guatemala's Fuego volcano, Central America's most active, has concluded its latest eruption after 50 hours, allowing more than 1,700 people to return to their homes. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction stated it was safe for residents to go back, though the National Institute of Vulcanology cautioned about ongoing risks. These include potential volcanic material avalanches and ash clouds that could affect air travel.

The volcano, located 35 kilometers from Guatemala City, began its eruptive process early Monday, intensifying Monday night with lava flows and significant gas and ash emissions. Despite the activity, authorities have reported no casualties or structural damage. The Fuego volcano stands at 3,763 meters and is one of three active volcanoes in the country.

Local communities have a complex relationship with the volcano. Some residents, like 61-year-old farmer Bernabé Marroquín, see eruptions as a regular occurrence. "We live with the volcano, we know when it gets angry and when it's calm," he told AFP, grateful his crops were unaffected. However, others, like 69-year-old Isabel Pérez, express persistent fear. "When will we be free from the volcano? It's scary," she lamented, seeking a safer place for her family.

Shelters set up in the southern city of Escuintla and in Alotenango were emptied as families voluntarily returned to their communities. While some residents have resettled, the memory of the June 2018 eruption, which caused 215 deaths and a similar number of disappearances, remains a stark reminder of the volcano's destructive potential.