A hike on Guatemala's Fuego volcano turned into a terrifying race for safety when the active volcano erupted. According to the coverage, terrified tourists and hikers were filmed running for their lives as debris rained down around them. The video captured the very moment the eruption sent people scrambling away from the slopes.
The eruption sent dangerous material across the mountain. The volcano was spewing ash, gas and molten hot lava rocks, according to the report. Some of those rocks even struck hikers, burning holes in their gear, an indication of how close people were to the danger when the volcano went off.
The activity followed a period of relative calm. According to the coverage, the volcano had been dormant for about two months before it began erupting again. Seismologists say the Fuego volcano is one of the most active in the world, which makes sudden eruptions a constant risk for anyone in the area.
Authorities responded by reinforcing safety measures. Officials issued a stern warning telling visitors to follow the restrictions around hiking near the volcano. As described, this is an active and dangerous volcano, and there is an exclusion zone at the top that is meant to keep people away from the most hazardous ground.
Despite those warnings, the volcano remains a powerful draw for visitors. According to the report, it is really compelling to want to go closer and see the volcano, and hikers and tourists tend to get closer than may be wise. The footage of the eruption underscored how exposed people can be when they push toward the summit.
The episode echoed a similar scare from before. According to the coverage, last year a group of hikers had just 20 minutes to flee after the volcano suddenly erupted. That earlier eruption also forced hundreds of other locals to evacuate, highlighting the wider risk the volcano poses beyond the hikers drawn to its slopes.