Guatemala’s “Volcano of Fire” covers entire communities in ash

Americas Now

The Central American country of Guatemala has just experienced its most lethal volcanic eruption in over 100 years. Hundreds are dead, injured and missing. And the search for survivors is daunting.

The “Fuego” volcano – also called the “Volcano of Fire” – first discharged a massive blast on June 3rd – spewing a cloud of ash, rock and toxic gas that buried nearby towns and villages. Thousands have been evacuated but authorities now admit the order to evacuate came late.

Emergency officials are playing the blame game over the stalled evacuation.

Guatemala is part of a zone known as “The Ring of Fire” – a seismically- active region in which both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent.

Correspondent Harris Whitbeck is on the scene as families continue to search for lost loved ones.