Guatemala Volcano Eruption: Pacaya Volcano Kills Anibal Archila

Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala Errupted on Thursday May 27 and Killed TV Reporter Anibal Archila

The volcano started spewing out rocks and lava on Thursday afternoon according to the Associated Press, and Guatemala City was covered with ash. As a result the airport was closed and a 'state of calamity' was declared by President Alvaro Colom.

Anibal Archila is a local television reporter in Guatemala and tragically he got too close to the volcano and was hit and killed by some rocks. Three children are still missing and it is believed they are between the ages of seven and 12.

Officials have stated that people should not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary as there is about two to three inches of ash covering the streets and cars of the city. A clean-up effort is underway as is a search for the missing children.

This is not the first time Pacaya has erupted as it is considered the most active out of all the 32 volcanoes in the country. It has been erupting on an infrequent basis since 1966 with the last big eruption in 1998.

Watch a Video of Pacaya Erupting:

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Video of Guatemala Pacaya volcano eruption

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sourced by Amy Judd