DFA monitoring situation of Filipinos in Guatemala following Fuego volcano eruption

A new smoke column billows from the lower part of the Fuego Volcano forcing rescue operations to be suspended and the evacuation of everyone in the village of San Miguel Los Lotes, in Escuintla Department, about 35 kilometers southwest of Guatemala City, on June 5, 2018./ AFP Photo / Johan Ordonez

(Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation in Guatemala following the eruption of Volcán de Fuego.

In a statement, the DFA said the Philippine Embassy situated in Mexico was in touch with leaders of the Filipino community to determine if any of the 200 Filipinos living and working in the Central American country needed assistance.

The DFA said the Philippine Consulate in Guatemala also urged Filipinos to donate to help those who were affected.

“The Consulate of Philippines in Guatemala is in solidarity with the people of Guatemala and especially with all those affected by the eruption of Volcan de Fuego,” the DFA said.

At least 99 people have been killed after the 3,763-meter volcano erupted on Wednesday, June 6.

The eruption was Guatemala’s strongest in four decades.