Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego—one of Central America’s most active volcanoes—has erupted again, prompting the evacuation of at least 700 people from nearby communities, according to the country’s disaster response agency CONRED.

The eruption sent hot gases, ash, and volcanic material up to 7km (4 miles) into the air, affecting residents in Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepéquez. Lava flows up to 1.2km long have been observed, and experts warn they could collapse and trigger dangerous pyroclastic flows.

“This continues to accumulate in an unstable manner… which could collapse and cause more pyroclastic flows,” warned INSIVUMEH, Guatemala’s national seismology and volcanology institute.

Key Impacts:

• 39 schools closed

• Road to UNESCO-listed Antigua shut

• Ashfall reported in multiple regions

• Air travel potentially affected with ash clouds reaching 7,000 meters (4 miles) in altitude

The current eruption could last up to 40 hours, INSIVUMEH estimates.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent a repeat of the 2018 tragedy, when over 215 people were killed after a catastrophic eruption overwhelmed local villages.

Photos and videos circulating on social media show fiery lava flows and ash-laden floods rushing down the slopes of the 3,763-meter (12,350-foot) volcano, located about 35km (22 miles) from Guatemala City.