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News > Latin America

Guatemala Volcano: 109 Dead As Rescue Efforts Suspended

  • Residents shovel ashes in search of victims' remains in Guatemala following the deadly volcanic eruptions.

    Residents shovel ashes in search of victims' remains in Guatemala following the deadly volcanic eruptions. | Photo: Reuters

Published 7 June 2018
Opinion

The death toll reached 109 late Thursday and is expected to continue climbing following Volcan del Fuego's most violent eruptions in four decades.

Dangerous conditions have forced the suspension of search and rescue operations following the eruption of Guatemala's Volcan del Fuego ('Fire Volcano'), the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (Conred) said.

RELATED:
Guatemala: Head of Disaster Agency Faces Calls to Resign After Fuego Eruption

The death toll reached 109 late Thursday, and is expected to continue climbing following the volcano's most violent eruptions in four decades.

The evacuation of residential areas were delayed by poor communication between Conred and volcanologists: Guatemala's public prosecutor said an investigation will be opened up to determine whether proper protocols were followed in the handling of the disaster.

Opposition politicians in Guatemala are currently calling on Sergio Cabanas, the national coordinator for Conred, to step down. Mario Taracena, a senior opposition lawmaker, said a probe should be initiated to determine if the Jimmy Morales government is criminally negligent.

"I'm telling you (Cabanas) this as a human being: Quit. You are not someone who is capable for this job," Taracena said in a video posted on Twitter.

Some 200 peope remain unaccounted for, but locating and identifying bodies has been difficult due to the extent of the damage and dangerous conditions.

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