Fuego volcano spews more ash and mud as Guatemala shelters 1,700 who fled nearby villages

Guatemala remained on alert after evacuating villages during an eruption of the Fuego volcano

About 1,700 people remained in shelters, with evacuations to stay in place until conditions improve, according to CONRED

Officials raised the alert level to red in Sacatepéquez, Escuintla and Chimaltenango, affecting about 29,000 people from ashfall, with schools closed

Mudflows up to 7 kilometers long are descending from the volcano, but have not reached villages and no structures have been reported damaged or at risk

June 2018: A previous eruption of Fuego killed hundreds of people and destroyed a whole village · Last year: Another eruption of Fuego spurred preventive evacuations · Monday morning: The current eruption started, with gas and ash clouds, lava and pyroclastic flows · Monday: About 250 people were evacuated from El Porvenir and Las Lajitas · Tuesday: More mud and ash were emitted; alert level raised to red in three municipalities; officials warned the next 72 hours were critical

1,700 people in shelters · 29,000 people affected by ashfall · 7 km length of mudflows · 72 hours critical period · 250 people evacuated