Guatemala suffers deadly volcano eruption

The Central American nation of Guatemala is under heightened state of alert following the eruption of the volcano Pacaya just miles away from the national capital. The international airport is currently closed due to the eruption and the clouds of debris that falling on Guatemala City, just 35 miles away.

Three persons are reported to have died, one of whom was a journalist. Guatemalan authorities fear that more may be dead following the eruption who may yet be discovered.

President Alvaro Colom has declared a national emergency in central Guatmala and is calling on all sectors of the nation to respond to the crisis. The volcano apparently erupted at approximately 7 PM local time on May 5. The volcano spewed forth clouds of small stones, ash and black sand in area with an 85 mile radius. The rain of black sand has reached a depth of approximately 10 centimeters (4 inches) in many areas near Pacaya, causing residents of at least four nearby villages to evacuate. Traffic jams have also ensued following the eruption.

According to media reports, tele-journalist Anibal Archila and two others were killed by burning debris that was thrown from the flaming crater of the volcano to some 50 yards away. The Pacaya volcano is approximately 6,000 feet in height above seawater.