Guatemala shuts airport as Volcano of Fire erupts, spewing ash and rock

Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) belched black ash into the sky on Saturday, causing the government to evacuate 100 nearby residents and forcing the closure of the capital’s international airport, President Otto Perez told reporters. The volcano, about 40 km southwest of the capital, forced the cancellation of several flights as Guatemala’s main airport shut down and workers sought to clear the runways of ash. Officials said the amount of falling ash was moderate but urged nearby residents to use masks or wet cloth to guard against breathing dangerous contaminants. The airport was expected to reopen today.

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