PH Extends Condolences to Guatemala after Volcano Eruption Leaves 25 Dead, Hundreds Injured

04 June 2018 — The Philippines has extended its sympathies to Guatemala after a volcano near the capital erupted on Sunday, leaving at east 25 persons dead, hundreds injured and an undetermined number missing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippine Embassy in Mexico is in touch with leaders of the Filipino Community in Guatemala to determine if any of the more than 200 Filipinos there have been affected by the eruption and would require assistance.

“The government and people of Guatemala are in our thoughts and prayers,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said from Seoul where he is accompanying President Rodrigo Duterte on an official visit there.

“We hope that there would be no further loss of life and property in this unforeseen tragedy,” Secretary Cayetano said.

Based on initial reports reaching the Home Office, no Filipino has so far been reported to have been among the casualties in the eruption of Volcan de Fuego, an active volcano located just outside Guatemala City.

Reports said more than 3,000 people have been evacuated from villages near the volcano and authorities fear the death toll may climb as entire communities remain unaccounted for.

Authorities in Guatemala say more than 1.7 million people have been affected by the eruption, which has been described as the most violent in four decades. END