Guatemala volcano eruption: Massive ash cloud forces hikers to flee ‘demise path’
A volcano erupted near a group of hikers at Santiaguito in Guatemala, sending a massive cloud of ash into the sky and causing rocks to rain down on those who had been climbing the notorious ‘death trail’
A massive cloud of ash erupted from the ground(Image: X)
A video making the rounds on social media shows a group of hikers narrowly escaping disaster as a volcano erupts beneath their feet.
The footage captures the terrifying moment the hikers, who were mere metres away from the crater’s edge in Santiaguito, Guatemala, scramble as the volcano blows its top. A massive ash cloud can be seen shooting up from the ground, with rocks and debris flying everywhere.
Another video taken from a distance shows some of the hikers desperately running down the hillside as rocks rain down around them. One hiker can be seen falling to the ground as the group rushes to safety.
The hikers were tackling a notorious route known as “the death trail”.
The climb is considered extremely dangerous, with the volcano being one of the most active in Central America.
It is understood that the ascent of the Santiaguito volcano is prohibited by authorities.
ABC7 Eyewitness News reported that hikers routinely ignore the restrictions.
Social media users on platform X shared their reactions to the harrowing incident.
One user commented: “This is why you stay away from active craters. Imagine being in their shoes right now… what’s your first move?”
Another user quipped: “Volcano don’t send warning text. One minute you’re posing, next you’re running from hot rocks’.”
