Flights diverted after Guatemala eruption

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Aircraft were advised to stay away from the area of the Pacaya volcano (pictured) eruption, 30 miles south of the capital, Guatemala City.

The volcano began spewing ash and lava after a powerful explosion on Saturday afternoon.

New explosions were seen yesterday, with ash clouds reaching a height of at least 3 miles, the BBC reported.

Pacaya is one of three active volcanoes in the Central American country.

Guatemalan authorities issued an amber alert, the third highest. It means people must remain alert and be prepared to leave the area at short notice.

Pacaya National Park director Humberto Morales was quoted are saying: “We are assessing with the National Disaster Management Centre whether we will need to evacuate the 3,000 people who live in the villages of El Rodeo and Patrocinio.

“Access to the areas around the volcano has been suspended,” he told the Prensa Libre newspaper.