Volcanic eruptions sent clouds of ash and lava flowing on Thursday, causing more than 33,000 people to flee areas surrounding Volcan del Fuego (Volcano of Fire), which is southwest of the city of Antigua.
Smoke rose three kilometers high and blew out 600 meters down the mountain, which is a 3,763 meter high volcano.
"A paroxysm of an eruption is taking place, a great volcanic eruption, with strong explosions and columns of ash," said Gustavo Chicna, a volcanologist with the National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology.
An alert was issued stating flights could be affected in the area. A red alert went out and the immediate area surrounding the volcano is almost in total darkness.
The Guatemalan Red Cross set up ten emergency shelters. Teresa Marroquin, disaster coordinator for the Guatemala Red Cross said, "There are lots of respiratory problems and eye problems." Many of the people living around the volcano are poor and authorities anticipate problems evacuating all of the people from the area.
We need to pray for these people, especially the sick and elderly, that they are able to get out safely.
The Bible says, "I will show wonders in heaven above and signs wonders in the earth beneath, blood, fire, and vapor of smoke" Acts 2:19.
In addition to the fact that more volcanoes are erupting with each passing year, the number of earthquakes have peaked drastically within the last two years. Jesus said, "Nation shall rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places" Matthew 24:7.
