Volcano showers sand and ash over Guatemala

Guatemala City: The Santiaguito volcano has showered sand and ash over a large area of western Guatemala in an "unusual" and "violent" display, the national seismological institute has said.

The institute said winds were carrying the ash in a northeasterly direction from the 2,500 meter (7,500 feet) high volcano in the province of Quetzaltenango, 206 kilometers (123 miles) west of the capital.

The ash plume spread across six provinces, raising fears of damage to crops, the institute said while classes were suspended at schools in three provinces.
Santiaguito`s worst eruption occurred in 1929 when 2,500 people were killed.

Bureau Report