Mount Fuego — one of Central America’s most active volcanoes — erupted suddenly while a group of hikers was ascending its slopes in Guatemala, sending ash, lava, and volcanic rocks into the air. In dramatic footage circulating online, terrified tourists are seen sprinting for cover as glowing debris rains down around them.
‘Run, little feet!’
“Run, little feet!” one hiker reportedly thought in panic — echoing the raw urgency of the moment. Another can be heard shouting, “My God!… Run! Run!” as the volcano roars to life. The eruption was so intense that molten rock punctured one hiker’s backpack.
Near-miss on the slope
Hana García, among those caught on the mountain, told local media that a chunk of scorching rock narrowly missed striking her head. She described the chaos: “The volcano erupted, and I managed to film a small part of it — but not much, because as I was recording, I looked up and saw rocks falling.” She added, “At that moment, I went into shock — then I started running.”
Volcán de Fuego, located about 40 kilometers west of Guatemala City, remains almost constantly active at a low level. Researchers from the University of Oregon note it typically produces small gas-and-ash explosions every 15 to 20 minutes — but sudden, larger eruptions like this one pose serious risks to climbers and nearby communities.