Fuego Volcano in Guatemala

Guatemala's Fuego volcano has erupted, covering villages in volcanic ash and debris during its most powerful eruption in over 100 years. Local reports confirm at least 69 people have been killed with many more still missing.

A state of emergency was declared as 3,000 people living near the volcano were evacuated to temporary shelters. The town of El Rodeo was worst affected, with rescuers still trying to reach the other nearby towns of Alotenango and San Miguel Los Lotes.

The eruption closed Guatemala's main international airport as columns of ash and smoke rose 10km into the air. The falling ash and rock has also covered the villages and coffee farms which sit on the slopes of the volcano.

Soldiers and firefighters assisting emergency workers are still searching for missing people in the dense covering of ash, mud and rock with at least 10 people being pulled from the lava flows by helicopter.

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