Guatemala’s Death Toll Rises as the Fuego Volcano Continues to Erupt (in Photos)

Ashley Hackett
June 9, 2018
Guatemala struggles to recover from its most severe volcanic eruption in 45 years.
Relatives and residents carry the coffin of 20-year-old Erick Rivas, who died following the eruption of the Fuego volcano, during his funeral in Alotenango municipality, Sacatepequez, about 65 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, on June 6th, 2018.

Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday, May 3rd, belching ash and rock and forcing the airport to close. At least 109 people have already died in a series of eruptions that began with the massive blast on Sunday and continued to spew ash, lava, and poisonous gas throughout the week.

The death toll from Fuego, or “fire” in Spanish, is expected to rise further as more bodies are found. Fuego’s blasts have affected more than 1.7 million people in three central departments, or states.

While neighboring countries have sent aid to Guatemala, the country’s own officials and volunteers have struggled to keep up with the country’s most severe volcanic eruption in 45 years.

Many rescue teams have served instead as recovery units for those trapped in villages buried under lava and debris.

The Fuego volcano in eruption, seen from Los Lotes, Rodeo, in Escuintla, about 35 kilometers south of Guatemala City, on June 4th, 2018.
The Fuego volcano in eruption, seen from Los Lotes, Rodeo, in Escuintla, about 35 kilometers south of Guatemala City, on June 4th, 2018.

(Photo: Johan Ordoñez/AFP/Getty Images)

Relatives and residents carry the coffin of 20-year-old Erick Rivas, who died following the eruption of the Fuego volcano, during his funeral in Alotenango municipality, Sacatepequez, about 65 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, on June 6th, 2018.
Relatives and residents carry the coffin of 20-year-old Erick Rivas, who died following the eruption of the Fuego volcano, during his funeral in Alotenango municipality, Sacatepequez, about 65 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, on June 6th, 2018. 

(Photo: Orlando Estrada/AFP/Getty Images)

Partial view of a victim of the Fuego volcano in San Miguel Los Lotes, a village in Escuintla, about 35 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, taken on June 4th, 2018, a day after the eruption.
Partial view of a victim of the Fuego volcano in San Miguel Los Lotes, a village in Escuintla, about 35 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, taken on June 4th, 2018, a day after the eruption.

(Photo: Johan Ordoñez/AFP/Getty Images)

Food cans and packages with solidarity messages are pictured at a collection center of humanitarian aid for the victims of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala, in Quito, on June 5th, 2018.
Food cans and packages with solidarity messages are pictured at a collection center of humanitarian aid for the victims of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala, in Quito, on June 5th, 2018. 

(Photo: Rodrigo Buendia/AFP/Getty Images)

Volunteer firefighters search for victims of the Fuego volcano eruption in Alotenango, a municipality in Sacatepequez, southwest of Guatemala City, on June 6th, 2018.
Volunteer firefighters search for victims of the Fuego volcano eruption in Alotenango, a municipality in Sacatepequez, southwest of Guatemala City, on June 6th, 2018. 

(Photo: Orlando Estrada/AFP/Getty Images)

View of the damage caused by the eruption of the Fuego volcano in San Miguel Los Lotes, a village in Escuintla, taken on June 4th, 2018.
View of the damage caused by the eruption of the Fuego volcano in San Miguel Los Lotes, a village in Escuintla, taken on June 4th, 2018.

(Photo: Johan Ordoñez/AFP/Getty Images)

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