Guatemala volcano eruption: Death toll rises to 25

Guatemala City [Guatemala], June 5 (ANI): The death toll from a highly active volcano that erupted near Guatemala's capital on Sunday rose to 25.

The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction of Guatemala (CONRED) said as of 9:00 p.m. local time the death toll had risen to 25, and 653 people have moved into shelters, Xinhua reported.

According to the CONRED, over 3,100 people were evacuated while the number of people missing is still unknown.

The Fuego Volcano exploded around noon local time and lava began flowing down in the afternoon.

The executive secretary of the CONRED Sergio Garcia Cabanas said that the village of El Rodeo is the most affected and it was practically buried.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said that a national "orange alert" has been activated in the region. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI