Seven killed in Guatemala volcano eruption

Seven persons have been killed and nearly 300 injured after Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupted, officials said.

The volcano, about 40 km south-west of the capital Guatemala City, has been spewing black smoke and ash into the sky, BBC reported on Monday.

Flows of lava have reportedly struck at least one village, causing deaths and injuries.

People have been evacuated from several areas and the capital's La Aurora airport has closed.

President Jimmy Morales said a national emergency response was under way.

The head of the National Disaster Prevention Authority Sergio Cabañas told a local radio station that a river of lava had changed course towards a small town.

"People have been injured, burned and killed. Evacuations and searches are under way," he said.

Cabañas later said the dead included a member of his agency's staff.

A total of about a million people have been affected by the eruption, the Guatemalan government said.

Officials have advised citizens to wear masks due to falling ash, which has been raining down in four of Guatemala's administrative regions.

--IANS

pgh/