Fuego Volcano Strikes Guatemala: Ash, Mud, and a Grim Toll
Wednesday’s Explosions and Rising Casualties
On Wednesday, the infamous Fuego volcano belched out fresh magma‑laden ash, whipping its slopes with new, deadly flows of mud and heat. The eruptive onslaught has pushed the death toll to at least 99—the most recent count from the National Forensic Sciences Agency.
- Only 28 victims have been identified to date.
- Authorities report a missing‑persons list of 192, with names already cataloged by Sergio Cabanas, head of Guatemala’s disaster response.
Why Rescue Workers Loaf in Fear
Since Sunday’s mud‑y catastrophe that buried whole villages on the southern flank, rescuers are dreading another eruption. Scientists warned that heavy rains could trigger perilous lahars—fast‑moving mudflows—amid a landscape already strewn with concrete, rocks, and fallen trees.
The volcano’s Act, erupting several times per hour, spouted a gray ash column soaring up to 4,700 meters (15,500 feet). The Volcanology Institute estimated current avalanches to travel roughly 800–1,000 meters.
Potential Hazards
- New pyroclastic flows could erupt within hours or days.
- Proximity to the epicenter is strongly discouraged.
Operation Chaos: Evacuations and the Human Toll
Rescue crews were forced to halt searches when an abrupt eruption triggered yet another landslide. The frantic local population swooped into cars in a scramble that threw traffic into a frenzy. An AFP photographer caught the dramatic rise of an ash plume, prompting a swift evacuation of any reachable residents.
Search Efforts in the Dust Storm
- Firefighters, police, and the military battled a thick dust blanket that covered the search area.
- Firefighters tipped their smoking boots over jack‑hammered volcanic debris.
- Police used red ink to mark homes that had already been scoured for bodies.
Over 12,000 villagers have been relocated, with more than 3,000 housed in temporary shelters.
Community Support Amid Disaster
Local volunteers ladled out food, water, toilets, and diapers to rescue crews and stranded residents. Some homeowners formed an informal committee to prevent looting—an issue reported as happening on the first night of the disaster.
Historical Context: The Strongest Eruption in 40 Years
Guatemala’s most devastating eruption of the past four decades obliterated entire settlements, released a grey ash curtain that blanketed roads, cars, and unsuspecting townsfolk, and set a molten mud river on a murderous downhill course. The assault caught communities off‑guard: many fatalities were found dead in or near their homes.
International Aid: Offers Yet to be Accepted
While the US, Mexico, and several Latin American neighbors extended lifelines, Guatemalan authorities have refrained from requesting foreign help. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that CONRED, the national disaster management body, will decide whether to ask for assistance.
Social media users have criticized President Jimmy Morales for his passive stance toward external aid. However, the International Red Cross’s chief, Francesco Rocca, is slated to visit the country on Thursday, possibly spurring cooperation.
US Air Force to Deliver Medical Aid
Per the US Army, six injured Guatemalan children from the recent eruption will be flown to Texas for advanced treatment. This logistical move underscores the international dimension of this disaster response.
