Latest news with #VolcanologyInstitute
CNA
6 days ago
- CNA
Volcanic eruption ends day's search for bodies of Filipino cockfighters
LAUREL, Philippines: Divers searching for dozens of murdered cockfighters in a lake south of Manila were forced to exit the water on Thursday (Jul 17) when the volcanic island in its centre erupted unexpectedly. The low-level eruption, which sent a plume of steam billowing 2,400m skyward from Lake Taal volcano, came a week into the search for the remains of people allegedly killed by rogue police for their involvement in fixing cockfights. "The (dives) were temporarily terminated," an official involved in the search who spoke on condition of anonymity told AFP, adding a number of divers had been in the water at the time of the eruption. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the volcano had experienced "minor phreatomagmatic eruptive events" just after 3pm (7am GMT). The agency's Mara Antonia Bornas said the volcano had been at a low alert level since 2021 and that no major eruptions were predicted. The divers would not be affected, and only the volcano island in the middle of the lake was "under precaution", she said. Since beginning the search on Jul 10, the Philippine Coast Guard has found five bags at the bottom of the lake, some of which may have contained human bones. Police are conducting forensic testing to determine if the bones are human and if they match the DNA of the missing cockfighters. Fifteen police officers are under investigation over the spate of mysterious 2022 disappearances in the country's huge cockfighting industry. The case erupted back into the public consciousness last month with the televised appearance of a witness claiming to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal. Located about two hours south of Manila, the lake spans more than 230 sq km and reaches depths of 172m in some places. Filipinos from all walks of life wager millions of dollars on matches every week between roosters who fight to the death with razor-sharp metal spurs tied to their legs. Cockfighting, banned in many other countries, survived coronavirus pandemic restrictions by going online, drawing many more gamblers who use their mobile phones to place wagers.
MTV Lebanon
11-03-2025
- Climate
- MTV Lebanon
Guatemala Volcanic Eruption Deemed Over After Spewing Lava, Evacuations
Guatemalan authorities evacuated around 1,000 people Monday after Central America's most active volcano erupted, spewing lava, ash and rocks. By night, however, the eruption was declared over, and evacuees were allowed to begin returning to their homes. Residents with traumatic memories of a deadly eruption in 2018 sought refuge early Monday after the Fuego volcano exploded spectacularly 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the capital Guatemala City. "We heard the rumblings and then a strong eruption," Manuel Cobox, 46, told AFP after leaving his home with his wife and three daughters. Some 125 families, around 900 people, were moved to safety from the community of El Porvenir, said Juan Laureano, a spokesman for Guatemala's disaster coordination agency, Conred. Residents of another community in Las Lajitas were also evacuated, the official added. Buses brought evacuees carrying belongings to a town hall turned into a temporary shelter, while others stayed with friends or relatives. Around 30,000 people were potentially "at risk" and should evacuate themselves if necessary, Conred head Claudinne Ogaldes told a news conference. By late Monday, though, the eruptive episode was declared "ended" and the volcano's parameters returned to "normal" levels following the dramatic increase of activity from Sunday, the state-run Volcanology Institute said in a bulletin. Guatemala lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. In June 2018, 215 people were killed and a similar number left missing when Fuego volcano erupted, sending rivers of lava pouring down its sides and devastating the village of San Miguel Los Lotes. On that occasion, residents "did not believe the magnitude and a tragedy struck," said Cobox, who works on a pig farm. Amanda Santos, a 58-year-old housekeeper, said that memories of that previous eruption came flooding back when she heard the firefighters' sirens. "That's why we're afraid. Many people died," she added. Another eruption in 2023 from the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) Fuego caused the evacuation of around 1,200 people. An alert was issued by the authorities on Sunday in order to coordinate the response and preventive measures, Conred said. The government suspended local school activities, although classes were now set to resume Tuesday. Officials also temporarily closed a road through the village that links the south of the country to the colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Guatemala's most popular tourist destination. Authorities had been monitoring pyroclastic flows -- fast-moving currents of hot ash, gas and rock fragments that descend the slopes of a volcano, Conred spokesman Laureano said. The Volcanology Institute recommended that air traffic take precautions due to a spreading ash cloud.
Khaleej Times
10-03-2025
- Khaleej Times
Guatemala volcano erupts; thousands of residents evacuated
Guatemalan authorities evacuated around a thousand people on Monday after Central America's most active volcano erupted, spewing lava, ash and rocks. Residents with traumatic memories of a deadly eruption in 2018 sought refuge after the Fuego volcano — located 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the capital Guatemala City — showed escalating activity. "We heard the rumblings and then a strong eruption," Manuel Cobox, 46, told AFP after leaving his home with his wife and three daughters. Some 125 families, around 900 people, were moved to safety from the community of El Porvenir, said Juan Laureano, a spokesman for Guatemala's disaster coordination agency, Conred. Residents of another community in Las Lajitas were also evacuated, the official added. Buses brought evacuees carrying belongings to a town hall turned into a temporary shelter, while others stayed with friends or relatives. Around 30,000 people were potentially "at risk" and should evacuate themselves if necessary, Conred head Claudinne Ogaldes told a news conference. Guatemala lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. In 2018, 215 people were killed and a similar number left missing when an eruption of the Fuego volcano sent rivers of lava pouring down its sides, devastating the village of San Miguel Los Lotes. On that occasion, residents "did not believe the magnitude and a tragedy struck," said Cobox, who works on a pig farm. Amanda Santos, a 58-year-old housekeeper, said that memories of that previous eruption came flooding back when she heard the firefighters' sirens. "That's why we're afraid. Many people died," she added. Another eruption in 2023 from the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) Fuego caused the evacuation of around 1,200 people. An alert was issued by the authorities on Sunday in order to coordinate the response and preventive measures, Conred said. The government suspended local school activities and closed a road through the village that links the south of the country to the colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Guatemala's most popular tourist destination. Authorities were monitoring pyroclastic flows -- fast-moving currents of hot ash, gas and rock fragments that descend the slopes of a volcano, Conred spokesman Laureano said. The state-run Volcanology Institute recommended that air traffic take precautions due to a spreading ash cloud.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Residents evacuated as Guatemalan volcano spews lava, rocks
Guatemalan authorities evacuated around a thousand people on Monday after Central America's most active volcano erupted, spewing lava, ash and rocks. Residents with traumatic memories of a deadly eruption in 2018 sought refuge after the Fuego volcano -- located 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the capital Guatemala City -- showed escalating activity. "We heard the rumblings and then a strong eruption," Manuel Cobox, 46, told AFP after leaving his home with his wife and three daughters. Some 125 families, around 900 people, were moved to safety from the community of El Porvenir, said Juan Laureano, a spokesman for Guatemala's disaster coordination agency, Conred. Residents of another community in Las Lajitas were also evacuated, the official added. Buses brought evacuees carrying belongings to a town hall turned into a temporary shelter, while others stayed with friends or relatives. Around 30,000 people were potentially "at risk" and should evacuate themselves if necessary, Conred head Claudinne Ogaldes told a news conference. Guatemala lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. In 2018, 215 people were killed and a similar number left missing when an eruption of the Fuego volcano sent rivers of lava pouring down its sides, devastating the village of San Miguel Los Lotes. On that occasion, residents "did not believe the magnitude and a tragedy struck," said Cobox, who works on a pig farm. Amanda Santos, a 58-year-old housekeeper, said that memories of that previous eruption came flooding back when she heard the firefighters' sirens. "That's why we're afraid. Many people died," she added. Another eruption in 2023 from the 3,763-meter (12,346-foot) Fuego caused the evacuation of around 1,200 people. An alert was issued by the authorities on Sunday in order to coordinate the response and preventive measures, Conred said. The government suspended local school activities and closed a road through the village that links the south of the country to the colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Guatemala's most popular tourist destination. Authorities were monitoring pyroclastic flows -- fast-moving currents of hot ash, gas and rock fragments that descend the slopes of a volcano, Conred spokesman Laureano said. The state-run Volcanology Institute recommended that air traffic take precautions due to a spreading ash cloud. jo-hma/mis/dr/bjt
The Guardian
10-03-2025
- The Guardian
‘Strong eruption' of volcano in Guatemala forces evacuations
Guatemalan authorities have evacuated around a thousand people after Central America's most active volcano erupted, spewing lava, ash and rocks. Residents sought safety in a temporary shelter after the Fuego volcano – located 35km (22 miles) from the capital Guatemala City – showed escalating activity on Sunday. 'We heard the rumblings and then a strong eruption. We have faith in God... that the activity of the volcano will calm down soon,' Manuel Cobox, 46, told AFP after leaving his home with his wife and three daughters. Some 125 families, around 900 people, were moved to safety from the community of El Porvenir, said Juan Laureano, a spokesman for Guatemala's disaster coordination agency, Conred. Residents of another community in Las Lajitas were also evacuated, the official added. Buses brought evacuees carrying belongings to a town hall turned into a temporary shelter. In 2018, 215 people were killed and a similar number left missing as an eruption of the Fuego volcano sent rivers of lava pouring down its sides, devastating the village of San Miguel Los Lotes. Another eruption in 2023 from the 3,763-meter (12,346ft) Fuego caused the evacuation of around 1,200 people. An alert was issued by the authorities on Sunday in order to coordinate the response and preventive measures, Conred said. The government suspended local school activities and closed a road through the village that links the south of the country to the colonial city of Antigua, a Unesco World Heritage Site and Guatemala's most popular tourist destination. The state-run Volcanology Institute recommended that air traffic take precautions due to ash that has spread about 50km west of the volcanic cone.
