Guatemala volcano death toll rises to 75

Authorities in Guatemala say that the death toll from Sunday’s devastating volcano eruption has climbed to 75 and nearly 200 people remain missing.

The national disaster agency, CONRED, said on Tuesday that 192 people are missing after the Fuego volcano erupted for the first time in more than four decades.

The seismological, volcanic and meteorological institute, Insivumeh, heightened its warnings after the volcano erupted again earlier on Tuesday, forcing evacuations and sending rescue workers scrambling for cover.

A column of smoke rose from the mountain and hot volcanic material began descending its south side, prompting new evacuation orders for a half dozen communities and the closure of a highway on Tuesday.

Volcan de Fuego, or Volcano of Fire, spewed a 10 km-long stream of red-hot lava and shot out a thick plume of black smoke and ash on Sunday that rained down onto several regions and the capital, Guatemala City, 30 km away from the hardest-hit area.

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