The Fuego volcano, located between the Escuintla, Chimaltenango, and Sacatepéquez regions, registered an increase in its activity on Monday, prompting Guatemalan authorities to declare an “orange alert” – the second highest emergency.
Around 400 people were evacuated from communities near the volcano and taken to temporary shelters in Alotenango and Escuintla city. Schools close to the volcano were closed due to the risk of ash fall and further volcanic activity.
Emergency services urged residents to leave their homes for their safety. In 2018, a violent eruption of the Fuego volcano left hundreds dead.
Fuego is just 16km (10 miles) west of Antigua, a city popular with tourists, who travel to the Unesco World Heritage Site to admire its colonial-era architecture. The active stratovolcano has also become popular with hikers.
More on this story: Guatemala volcano eruption sends lava spewing into the air
